Ned Luberecki, known as Nedski, is a banjo player, teacher, and radio host from Baltimore who lives in Nashville. He won IBMA Banjo Player of the Year in 2018 and IBMA Broadcaster of the Year in 2023, and he entered the American Banjo Hall of Fame in 2024. He plays in the Becky Buller Band and hosts on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction.
Why Luberecki matters
Luberecki reaches banjo players through his radio show, his instruction books and videos, and his work as backstage announcer at the IBMA Awards. He is also a band player, with years in Chris Jones and the Night Drivers and the Becky Buller Band.
Life and career
Luberecki grew up in Baltimore. Over the years he played banjo with the Rarely Herd, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time, the Jim Hurst Band, Radio Flyer, Paul Adkins and the Borderline Band, the Apocalyptic Cowboys, and Tony Trischka’s Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular band. In 2003 he joined Chris Jones and the Night Drivers. In 2010 he recorded and toured with guitarist Stephen Mougin as Nedski and Mojo.
In 2016 he joined the Becky Buller Band full time. He won IBMA Banjo Player of the Year in 2018 and IBMA Broadcaster of the Year in 2023. In 2024 he entered the American Banjo Hall of Fame.
Playing style
Luberecki plays both Scruggs and melodic styles, and he teaches both. He teaches melodic fiddle tunes like Whiskey Before Breakfast. In the Becky Buller Band he plays traditional and modern material side by side.
Influences and legacy
Luberecki has played beside Chris Jones, Becky Buller, Jim Hurst, Stephen Mougin, and Tony Trischka. His Complete Banjo Method and his Murphy Method and TrueFire lessons teach players at every level.
Signature tunes and songs
Whiskey Before Breakfast Angeline the Baker, with Becky Buller.
Awards and honors
IBMA Banjo Player of the Year (2018) IBMA Broadcaster of the Year (2023) American Banjo Hall of Fame (2024)
Watch and listen
Luberecki and Becky Buller play Angeline the Baker for Deering’s Julia Belle Sessions.
Here he teaches Whiskey Before Breakfast in melodic style.
What to learn from Luberecki
Learn Whiskey Before Breakfast from his play-along lesson. The technique to steal is play-along practice. Luberecki builds his lessons around playing with a backing track, which trains your timing for a real jam.
Sources
Luberecki, Ned, BluegrassBios.com Ned Luberecki, Nedski.com
Related players
See the banjo players hub and the bluegrass banjo guide for more pickers. Luberecki plays with Becky Buller and has played with Stephen Mougin, Jim Hurst, and Tony Trischka.