Noam Pikelny facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Noam Pikelny
Noam Pikelny 2017
Background information
Born	(1981-02-27) February 27, 1981 (age 44)
Origin	Chicago, Illinois
Genres	Progressive bluegrass Bluegrass
Instruments	Banjo
Labels	Compass Records, Rounder Records

Noam David Pikelny (born February 27, 1981) is a talented American banjo player. He is known for being a member of the popular music groups Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar. He also played with Leftover Salmon and the John Cowan Band. Noam Pikelny has been nominated for a Grammy Award nine times. He won a Grammy in 2019 for Best Folk Album.

Early Life and Music Journey

Noam Pikelny was born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a nearby town called Skokie, Illinois. Noam started playing the banjo when he was only 8 years old. He took lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. When he was in high school, he learned from Greg Cahill. Greg was a member of a bluegrass band called The Special Consensus.

Music Career and Bands

Noam Pikelny was part of the music group Leftover Salmon from 2002 to 2004. After that, he joined the John Cowan Band from 2004 to 2006. He played on their album called "New Tattoo." Soon after, in 2006, the band Punch Brothers was formed.

Chris Thile from Nickel Creek wanted to start a new music group. He wanted it to be a five-person string band. He knew he wanted fiddler Gabe Witcher to be in it. Chris Thile, Gabe Witcher, Noam Pikelny, bassist Greg Garrison, and guitarist Chris Eldridge had a jam session. After playing together, Chris Thile decided he wanted them all to be in the band.

In 2006, the band was first called "The How to Grow a Band." They were the backing band for Chris Thile's solo album, How to Grow a Woman from the Ground. They also played together for the concerts that followed. They toured on and off in 2007. This was around the same time as Nickel Creek's "Farewell (For Now) Tour."

The band's name changed briefly to "Tensions Mountain Boys." Then, they decided on "Punch Brothers." This name came from a short story by Mark Twain. Punch Brothers released their first official album, Punch, on Nonesuch Records. It came out on February 26, 2008.

Awards and Recognition

In 2010, Noam Pikelny received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. This is a special award for banjo players. On November 5, 2010, he appeared on Late Show with David Letterman. He played a funny version of "Dueling Banjos" with Steve Martin. Later, he performed with Steve Martin and the Punch Brothers.

Noam Pikelny's 2011 album, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was nominated for Best Bluegrass Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

In 2014, Noam was named Banjo Player of the Year. This award was given by the International Bluegrass Music Association. He won this award again in 2017. He also won the Album of the Year award for Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. This same album was nominated for "Best Bluegrass Album" at the Grammy Awards in 2015.

In 2019, the Punch Brothers won a Grammy Award. They won for Best Folk Album for their album All Ashore.

Personal Life

Noam Pikelny lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Music Albums

Noam Pikelny has released several albums, both as a solo artist and with his bands.

Solo Albums

Albums with Leftover Salmon

Albums with Punch Brothers

Albums with Mighty Poplar