Guitar-loving audiences in Tauranga are in for a treat this Thursday when legendary folk-rock band guitarist from Steeleye Span Ken Nicol performs at the Te Puna Memorial Hall.

Guitarist Ken Nicol plays at the London Palladium.

Ken's music covers the spectrum from blues to rock, incorporating everything from folk, jazz, ragtime and more along the way.

Renowned for his super-fluid finger-picking acoustic guitar technique, Ken also plays electric guitar, 5-string banjo, mandolin and ukulele.

Born in Preston UK, Ken started playing the regional club circuit where his talents were soon recognised.

In the early seventies he formed the band Nicol & Marsh's Easy Street with Pete Marsh, and it wasn't long before they landed their first major record contract.

They went on to produce four albums to widespread acclaim on the CBS and Polydor labels, the last one being recorded in Los Angeles. This prompted Ken to make his home in the US where he played gigs as a solo acoustic performer and as lead singer and co-songwriter for the band Versailles.

Ken returned to the UK from LA in 1989, and once again began working the club circuit as a solo performer, before joining The Albion Band in 1997 as lead guitarist and singer, writing much of the band's material. He recorded four albums with the band.

In December 2002, he became lead guitarist with folk-rockers Steeleye Span on their UK ‘Reunion Tour' and, due to its great success, his collaboration with the band continued until 2010.

Ken continues to write, record and tour as a solo artist and his gigs delight audiences with music drawn from throughout his career, ranging from mesmerisingly fast instrumentals to heart-stopping ballads and even some comedy numbers.

Ken's guitar playing has brought him the rare accolade of having a special guitar designed for him by top luthiers Fylde Guitars: the Fylde Ken Nicol Signature Guitar.

Tickets are $15 from Rosie (ph:5526291) or at the door. Doors open at 7.00pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available.