My father played around Pittsburgh with Mr. Costa towards the end of his career. He is the guy on the left in the picture around 1:42 in this video, holding the drink. He speaks often about Johnny and his musicianship and considers himself lucky to have had the honor to perform with him.
Johnny Costa was one of the greatest pianists ever. Right up there with Tatum, Peterson, Evans, etc. And he played this on a children's program. Real cool.
To think that he played it live every episode...As a kid, I loved the music as much as I loved Mr. Rogers. As a child of musicians, I know good music, and I always loved to here the music as a kid! It was like a lil heaven for me!
more than that, he "cued" the action of the show, live, day after day, just like theatre organists accompanied silent films in the 1920's. he was very gifted...
I grew up watching Mister Rogers for years in the 1980’s. Met him briefly when I was about 9 at a silent auction my folks took me to…. Totally tongue tied but smiled real big at him. He was cordial and had a big smile back at me. I still love jazz to this day and looking back on the program I am so happy they had this fabulous music playing in the background. Not forced on us, just forever complimenting the footage so gracefully. I love that he never played the same song the same way twice so us kids would appreciate hearing the scores of variations on the theme.
I am British, and on visits to the US I would switch to Mister Rogers to listen to the piano playing. This is quite a revelation discovering who the pianist was. What a genius.
It was my first time hearing jazz chords like that, and at such a young age. Thank you for Mister Rogers for allowing Mr. Costa to express his own brand of genius improvisation.
Fuhgetaboudit! He was an absolute monster player and I dug those outros at the show’s end so mich as you could really hear his ideas. Joe Negri (guitar) is another local jazz giant.
with all due respect, when tatum first heard costa playing (from another room), he thought his records were being played. that said, costa's technique was more precise and elegant than tatum's equally as good brash and forward style.
7 years later, I agree with you. I always enjoyed the music when the camera panned away from the house. I had no idea the level of musicianship I was listening to as a child.
NOT "for kids"! Both Costa and Rogers agreed that the music should NOT be "dumbed down" for children. Generations of kids were exposed to first-class straight-ahead jazz on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. "Although Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was a children's program, Costa insisted on not playing "baby" music. He believed children understood good music and that he could experiment with his own musical styles and techniques, even for a children's program." (Wikipedia) www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-costa-mn0000244874/biography
Thanks for the link I'd love to see them I found one of his outros here on youtube and it was really amazing.. 1:26 /watch?v=peDn6XQ3bjI Unfortunately i do not have them on cassette. You know if i could just watch the full episodes online i might be able to record them (maybe with Hypercam or Audacity) to my computer and upload them I didnt think about that. If i can find a place to watch them online that is.
My father played around Pittsburgh with Mr. Costa towards the end of his career. He is the guy on the left in the picture around 1:42 in this video, holding the drink. He speaks often about Johnny and his musicianship and considers himself lucky to have had the honor to perform with him.
Mr. Costa was a gift.
Dave, this is Mar-Jean. I guess you are the drummer I know, and if so, I should let you know that Johnny Costa was my Great Uncle!
Johnny Costa was one of the greatest pianists ever. Right up there with Tatum, Peterson, Evans, etc. And he played this on a children's program. Real cool.
I agree! Bill Evans is my all time favorite but truly Johnny Costa made me fall in love with jazz as a child.
To think that he played it live every episode...As a kid, I loved the music as much as I loved Mr. Rogers. As a child of musicians, I know good music, and I always loved to here the music as a kid! It was like a lil heaven for me!
more than that, he "cued" the action of the show, live, day after day, just like theatre organists accompanied silent films in the 1920's. he was very gifted...
I grew up watching Mister Rogers for years in the 1980’s. Met him briefly when I was about 9 at a silent auction my folks took me to…. Totally tongue tied but smiled real big at him. He was cordial and had a big smile back at me. I still love jazz to this day and looking back on the program I am so happy they had this fabulous music playing in the background. Not forced on us, just forever complimenting the footage so gracefully. I love that he never played the same song the same way twice so us kids would appreciate hearing the scores of variations on the theme.
I am British, and on visits to the US I would switch to Mister Rogers to listen to the piano playing. This is quite a revelation discovering who the pianist was. What a genius.
A technical and creative genius!
Rip both John Costa and Fred Roger's two great people
Brings tears to my eyes and joy of remembering the memories I had of watching this as a child.
Totally understandable. I think Mr. Rogers brought us a feeling of security, warmth, and acceptance that is no longer in our grasp.
I loved Mister Roger's Neighborhood. Among my favourite aspects of the show was the music played by Johnny Costa.
the ability to "cue" live action, is a rare talent. costa possessed it in spades.
It was my first time hearing jazz chords like that, and at such a young age. Thank you for Mister Rogers for allowing Mr. Costa to express his own brand of genius improvisation.
Thumbs up is simply inadequate. This is simply amazing.
My day just got better ❤️
Mine, too!
It's such a good feeling to know you're alive.
It's such a happy feeling: You're growing inside.
And when you wake up ready to say,
"I think I'll make a snappy new day."
It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling,
The feeling you know that we're friends.
It's Such a Good Feeling
By Fred M. Rogers
© 1970
I just can't believe what I'm hearing. Jaw dropping.
I feel so fortunate growing up watching Mister Rogers and hearing this great Musician in Mr. Costa. Thank you.
This guy is probably the best jazz pianist who ever lived. Anyone disagree?
Poly Organza tatuuum
with all due respect, more precise technique than tatum!
No I really agree!!!!!
I won’t say the best but one of the best.. Tatum, Peterson still have the drop on him lol
Hard to argue, he belongs in the conversation. Top 3 and my personal favorite.
sometimes, when he surprised himself at the finish of a piece, he would kiss his own fingers! perfection. love you always, Johnny.
I once read that Art Tatum referred to Johnny Costa as the White Art Tatum.
it's true and the first time tatum heard costa play (from an adjacent room) he thought his records were being played!
This man is definitely one of my top pianist....what a level of playing 😳
there are many wonderful pianists. and then there was john costa.
absolutely!!
Beyond Incredible!!!!!
Right!
amazing
Hooooooooly Mooooooooley, this guy is fantastic!
YES
Simply the BEST.
Just love it!
Like a house on fire!
Fuhgetaboudit! He was an absolute monster player and I dug those outros at the show’s end so mich as you could really hear his ideas. Joe Negri (guitar) is another local jazz giant.
Awesome.
Sheer heaven.
Shoutout to Johnny Costa man
@mhfanjjc30 please like let me know when you upload them or whatever. Thats recording gold you have right there.
Were it for Mr Rodgers I feel like a lot of Kids would not be exposed to jazz and other genres of music.
How far do you imagine you would get with tv execs today if you said
“….. And I want this really great jazz musician to play in every show”?
an absolute spaz on piano!
The way I understand it Mr Rogers would not have the music any other way
except with the jazz from Johnny Costa
Toca muito!
Thanks, Rufus!
Excellent post! I love this rendition. Where did you find this version of the song?
It belongs to the LP _Johnny Costa Plays Mister Rogers Neighbourhood Jazz_ which has recently been reissued :)
Wow. Yes, I always liked the outros better than the intro because that's when he could really get down! This guy was almost as good as Tatum.
with all due respect, when tatum first heard costa playing (from another room), he thought his records were being played. that said, costa's technique was more precise and elegant than tatum's equally as good brash and forward style.
Art Tatum reportedly called Johnny Costa "The white Tatum".
7 years later, I agree with you. I always enjoyed the music when the camera panned away from the house. I had no idea the level of musicianship I was listening to as a child.
One hears such sounds and what can one day but, Costa!
YESSSSSS!!!!!
Bellissimo......top
Johnny Costa plays like a 1920s legitimate gangster :)
1:37 - light speed. Damn.
NOT "for kids"!
Both Costa and Rogers agreed that the music should NOT be "dumbed down" for children. Generations of kids were exposed to first-class straight-ahead jazz on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
"Although Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was a children's program, Costa insisted on not playing "baby" music. He believed children understood good music and that he could experiment with his own musical styles and techniques, even for a children's program." (Wikipedia) www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-costa-mn0000244874/biography
Interesting!
I always thought that was only Peterson and tatum until I started to listen to johni costa
my mom dated Fred Rogers
Very lucky woman.
Thanks for the link I'd love to see them I found one of his outros here on youtube and it was really amazing.. 1:26 /watch?v=peDn6XQ3bjI Unfortunately i do not have them on cassette. You know if i could just watch the full episodes online i might be able to record them (maybe with Hypercam or Audacity) to my computer and upload them I didnt think about that. If i can find a place to watch them online that is.
!!!
john stewart
I'm hearing Eubie Blake like technique...
I miss Mr.Fred Rodgers.