Description

Known for his comedic dueling banjos work with the legendary Steve Martin, the young and prolific banjo player and songwriter Noam Pikelny is a bluegrass master and member of the Punch Brothers and, before that, the hilariously named Leftover Salmon. For an idea of his wildly reserved and classically contemporary sound, take a look at the lineup on his most recent album, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail. Produced by Gabe Witcher, the disc features Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Chris Eldridge, & Mark Schatz, with Special guests Steve Martin, Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, & Bryan Sutton. Packed with impressive and creative melodies, he pushes acoustic music forward and integrates the banjo into modern music as if it has always belonged there.

“It also speaks to Pikelny's adventurous perspective about how the banjo can be used in modern music. Even more than his impressive chops, it's that creativity that makes Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail an essential, if likeably unassuming, listen.” - Slant Magazine