Happy toes will be tapping this coming Sunday, December 7th, when pianist Jeff Little brings his remarkable trio to the Hedrick Little Theater on the Catawba campus for an evening of Appalachian-flavored music. The show will also feature the college's Americana ensemble, Catawba Roots.
Writing about Little, The National Council for the Traditional Arts said, "His distinctive style, much influenced by the flatpicked guitar tradition, is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity."
Little, a close musical associate of the legendary Doc Watson, has performed for National Public Radio, PBS, American Piano Masters Series, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and The American Folk Festival. Jeff has also performed internationally, including concerts in Sri Lanka, Oman, Tanzania, and France.
A Boston Globe review of Little's playing declared, "Jeff Little tore the place apart with his wondrously quick and articulate piano style. He is tricky and playful, yet always intelligent and richly melodic."
Steve Lewis from Todd N.C., is the second member of the Jeff Little Trio. He is one of the most respected acoustic musicians in the country. Steve is well known for his flat picking on guitar and his mastery of the five string banjo. Steve has won many championships for his guitar and banjo playing. Steve is also a two time national champion on the banjo.
Upright bass master Josh Scott rounds out the trio. He is considered to be one of today's most talented players on the instrument and has been featured on stage and in the studio with many critically acclaimed artists of acoustic and Americana music.
The 7:30 show will begin with Catawba Roots, a student ensemble dedicated to Americana music and other works performed in that style. It has been under Little's direction for four years and is often called upon to represent the college musically. This time, Catawba Roots will perform songs made popular by John Mayer, all done with an Appalachian twist.
The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. David Lee Fish a dlfish@catawba.edu.
