NOAM PIKELNY has emerged as the preeminent banjoist of his generation. He is a founding
member of Punch Brothers and was awarded the first annual Steve Martin Prize for
Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass in 2010 in addition to IBMA’s Banjo Player of the year in
2014 and 2017. Universal Favorite (Rounder Records, 2017) is the fourth record Noam Pikelny has released under his own name, but it’s truly his solo debut. His previous solo efforts-including 2014’s landmark Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe-were full-band affairs that revealed his abilities as a dynamic bandleader while reinforcing his reputation as an inventive accompanist - with both albums receiving Grammy nominations.