Vinyl LP pressing. 2017 release from the acclaimed banjoist. Pikelny is a founding member of Punch Brothers, a three-time Grammy Nominee and was awarded the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo. Universal Favorite was recorded live in-studio without accompaniment. Pikelny coaxes a wide array of sounds and colors out of his instruments, embracing the challenges and exploring the new possibilities of the solo setting. And, for the first time in his career, Pikelny even sings. Noam started playing banjo when he was 10 years old. He took lessons at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Pikelny was in Leftover Salmon from 2002 until leaving in 2004 to play in the John Cowan Band from 2004 to 2006, just before the formation of the Punch Brothers in that same year.