Wellington harmonica maestro Neil Billington is coming to town to play two free gigs in Mount Maunganui and Tauranga next weekend.

Teaming up with bluesman Mike Garner, the duo will take to the stage at the Mount's Hop House on Friday, January 29, and then play Brew Craft Beer Pub in Tauranga on Saturday, January 30.

Harmonica maestro Neil Billington and renowned bluesman Mike Garner are teaming up for two free gigs in Mount Maunganui and Tauranga next weekend. Photo: Supplied

Neil will be special guest for the Blue Friday Session at the Hop House, joining Mike and Derek Jacombs for their popular monthly romp through a mix of originals, old blues and Americana.

Then on the Saturday, Neil and Mike will present the show which they took to Japan at Brew on The Strand.

One of New Zealand's finest exponent of blues harmonica, Neil is renowned for his ability to cover the blues greats on acoustic or amplified harmonica, plus the more demanding chromatic harp.

While Mike is a well-known bluesman with 40 years of experience, whose virtuosity on acoustic, electric and resonator guitars, harmonica and mandolin is simply a sight that needs to be seen.

Neil and Mike previously toured Japan together in 2014 and 2015, and the duo are planning to return to ‘The Land of The Rising Sun' in October this year.

Neil Billington and Mike Garner perform at the Hop House in Mount Maunganui on Friday, January 29, and then again at Bew Craft Beer Pub in Tauranga on Saturday, January 30. Both gigs are free.

For more information visit: www.blues101.co.nz/garner-billington-duo.html