Johnny Costa (January 17, 1922 – October 11, 1996) was an American jazz pianist born in Arnold, Pennsylvania. Given the title "the White Tatum" by jazz legend Art Tatum, Costa is best known for his work as musical director of the children's television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.Costa learned to play accordion at age 7 and was reading music three years later. Frank Oliver, Costa's high school music teacher, urged him to learn the piano after discovering that Costa had perfect pitch.