Pikelny, O'Donovan team up for tour

O'Donovan, a member of Crooked Still, also has a solo career underway with her "Fossils" CD out.

A member of bluegrass outfit the Punch Brothers, banjoist Pikelny just scored three IBMA Award nominations (Banjo Player of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Liner Notes).

The singular ensemble will feature bassist Barry Bales (Alison Krauss & Union Station) and fiddler Shad Cobb (John Cowan Band).

In 2012, the duo initially collaborated when Pikelny featured O'Donovan as a guest vocalist on his "Beat the Devil & Carry a Rail." O'Donovan appeared on Pikelny's album release tour. "I was out on the road, promoting a mostly instrumental album, but somehow was lucky enough to have my favorite singer in the world, Aoife O'Donovan, in the band," he said.

O'Donovan said, "Noam's ability as a musician goes far beyond his virtuosity as a banjoist. He's a truly keen listener and an unbelievable arranger. As a singer, there's nobody else I'd rather have backing me up."

Tour dates are:
Nov. 1 - Peery Egyptian Theatre - Ogden, UT
Nov. 2 - Musical Instrument Museum - Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 3 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
Nov. 4 - Strings Music Festival - Steamboat Springs, CO
Nov. 6 - Stoughton Opera House - Stoughton, WI
Nov. 7 - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts - Skokie, IL
Nov. 8 - Lincoln Theatre - Columbus, OH
Nov. 9 - Buskirk-Chumley Theater - Bloomington, IN
Nov. 11 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
Nov. 12 - Music Box Supper Club - Cleveland, OH