The Pipi Pickers are:

• Barry Torkington: guitar, dobro
• Nathan Torkington: banjo
• Garry Bigwood: guitar, mandolin, vocals
• Jenine Abarbanel Torkington: bass, vocals

Barry Torkington first heard bluegrass as a young lad when the National Radio program would play their one Flatt and Scruggs record every day just as he was milking the cows.  Realising this was the music for him, he bought himself a 5 string banjo and taught himself to play it.  He is currently teaching himself to play dobro.

Nat Torkington (Barry’s son) picked up (or, in Barry’s words, stole) the banjo at age 17, forcing Barry to switch to the guitar.  Nat has studied with Pete Wernick and jammed with Bela Fleck, and is widely considered to be the best 5-string Earl Scruggs style banjo player living on Ti Point today.  In all honesty, there are few greater joys than listening to Nat tear up “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” seven ways to Sunday.

Garry Bigwood comes from a blues tradition, formerly playing with the Leigh Buoys.  He thrashes his Martin like he means it and brings a true bluesy groove to the Pipi Picker sound.  In 2010 he bought a mandolin and taught himself to play it, adding a much needed authentic bluegrass element.

Jenine Abarbanel came to music late, learning to play the stand-up bass in 2006 so the guys would let her hang out with them during jam nights.  A singer since childhood, her vocals are most often compared to Natalie Merchant and Gillian Welch.  What she lacks in talent and skill she makes up for with energy and chutzpah.