Colter Harper has remained an active performer during his graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, Harper has worked as a guitarist in the jazz community and contributed to a number of locally produced recordings including the Emmy Award-winning soundtrack of the documentary Fly Boys. Harper has also toured extensively with the Pittsburgh based group Rusted Root, a multi-platinum selling band known for their fusion of World beat and rock 'n' roll. Harper is on Rusted Root's latest album Stereo Rodeo, and has since been touring the U.S. performing material from the album. Harper is in the final stages of writing his dissertation, which examines the history of jazz and race in Pittsburgh's Hill District during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.