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Jeff Little Trio Returns to Catawba College for Appalachian-Inspired Concert on August 22, 2026
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, Catawba College will welcome the Jeff Little Trio for a free evening of Appalachian‑inspired music. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Keppel Auditorium, part of the Robertson College‑Community Center, and is preceded by a reception at 6:00 p.m. that offers beer, wine, non‑alcoholic drinks and hearty hors d’oeuvres.
The event is part of the college’s long‑standing speaker and artist series and aligns with the institution’s 175th‑anniversary celebrations. It also continues a yearly tradition that pairs professional musicians with student performers. After the trio’s main set, a second set will feature special guest appearances by students from the Popular Music Program, creating a collaborative showcase of emerging talent.
Jeff Little, the trio’s pianist and artistic leader, brings more than three decades of experience to the stage. His career has included performances at the Smithsonian Institution, the American Folk Festival, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, American Piano Masters, and the PBS concert “Doc Watson and Jeff Little.” Little has appeared on PBS and NPR, and has toured internationally for the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in Sri Lanka, Oman, Pakistan, Bahrain, France and Tanzania. In addition to his performance career, he has managed tours for national artists such as Keith Urban and John Michael Montgomery. Little is a SESAC‑affiliated songwriter, was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and serves as Chair of Catawba’s Music Department, Director of the Music Business Program and Artist in Residence in Popular Music.
The trio’s other members bring complementary expertise. Guitarist and five‑string banjo player Steve Lewis is a multiple‑champion, having won titles at MerleFest, Renofest, the Wayne Henderson Guitar Competition and the Walnut Valley National Championship on both guitar and banjo. Mandolinist Luke Little has performed at the National Folk Festival, the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, MerleFest Mandomania and the Montana Folk Festival.
The Jeff Little Trio has a history of performing at prestigious venues and festivals, including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Folk Festival, American Piano Masters, The Barns at Wolf Trap and various theaters and performing‑arts centers across the United States and abroad. Their music blends traditional Appalachian elements with contemporary influences, delivering high‑energy performances that emphasize musicianship and storytelling.
The concert is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged through the college’s online form. In lieu of ticket sales, attendees are invited to make donations to support the Music Department. The pre‑concert reception provides an opportunity for guests to mingle with performers and faculty.
Catawba College’s 175th‑anniversary celebrations highlight the institution’s long history of scholarship, creativity and service. The Jeff Little Trio concert, as part of the speaker and artist series, underscores the college’s commitment to cultural programming that brings together established artists and students.
For those interested in attending, the event will be held in Keppel Auditorium, a venue that has hosted numerous concerts and community events. The reception will begin at 6 p.m., giving attendees time to enjoy refreshments before the performance starts at 7:30 p.m. The concert will conclude with a second set featuring student performers, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the program.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, and will run for approximately two hours, including the reception and the two sets of music. The Jeff Little Trio’s appearance at Catawba College continues a tradition of bringing high‑quality Appalachian music to the campus community and beyond, while supporting the college’s music programs and celebrating its 175th year of operation.
The event is part of the college’s long‑standing speaker and artist series and aligns with the institution’s 175th‑anniversary celebrations. It also continues a yearly tradition that pairs professional musicians with student performers. After the trio’s main set, a second set will feature special guest appearances by students from the Popular Music Program, creating a collaborative showcase of emerging talent.
Jeff Little, the trio’s pianist and artistic leader, brings more than three decades of experience to the stage. His career has included performances at the Smithsonian Institution, the American Folk Festival, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, American Piano Masters, and the PBS concert “Doc Watson and Jeff Little.” Little has appeared on PBS and NPR, and has toured internationally for the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in Sri Lanka, Oman, Pakistan, Bahrain, France and Tanzania. In addition to his performance career, he has managed tours for national artists such as Keith Urban and John Michael Montgomery. Little is a SESAC‑affiliated songwriter, was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and serves as Chair of Catawba’s Music Department, Director of the Music Business Program and Artist in Residence in Popular Music.
The trio’s other members bring complementary expertise. Guitarist and five‑string banjo player Steve Lewis is a multiple‑champion, having won titles at MerleFest, Renofest, the Wayne Henderson Guitar Competition and the Walnut Valley National Championship on both guitar and banjo. Mandolinist Luke Little has performed at the National Folk Festival, the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, MerleFest Mandomania and the Montana Folk Festival.
The Jeff Little Trio has a history of performing at prestigious venues and festivals, including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Folk Festival, American Piano Masters, The Barns at Wolf Trap and various theaters and performing‑arts centers across the United States and abroad. Their music blends traditional Appalachian elements with contemporary influences, delivering high‑energy performances that emphasize musicianship and storytelling.
The concert is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged through the college’s online form. In lieu of ticket sales, attendees are invited to make donations to support the Music Department. The pre‑concert reception provides an opportunity for guests to mingle with performers and faculty.
Catawba College’s 175th‑anniversary celebrations highlight the institution’s long history of scholarship, creativity and service. The Jeff Little Trio concert, as part of the speaker and artist series, underscores the college’s commitment to cultural programming that brings together established artists and students.
For those interested in attending, the event will be held in Keppel Auditorium, a venue that has hosted numerous concerts and community events. The reception will begin at 6 p.m., giving attendees time to enjoy refreshments before the performance starts at 7:30 p.m. The concert will conclude with a second set featuring student performers, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the program.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, and will run for approximately two hours, including the reception and the two sets of music. The Jeff Little Trio’s appearance at Catawba College continues a tradition of bringing high‑quality Appalachian music to the campus community and beyond, while supporting the college’s music programs and celebrating its 175th year of operation.