Musician Ken Nicol is traveling 12,000 miles for a homecoming.

The United Kingdom-based singer, songwriter and guitarist is returning to New Zealand, which is also the home of his father.

Ken, who is half Kiwi, has performed with many of the biggest names in British Folk and folk-rock, including Steeleye Span, The Albion Band and Fairport Convention, as well as having a recording career that covers 40 years and well over 50 albums.

As part of a New Zealand mini-tour, he will be performing in Tauranga at The Incubator on Thursday October 4.

'Growing up listening to my father's stories of this far away land, it's hard to believe I'd have to wait almost 53 years before having the opportunity to visit for myself. And though I was there for only 24 hours for a concert at the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland, there was a strong sense of connection. I felt that the journey had only just begun and id be returning very soon indeed,” says Ken.

Renowned for his super-fluid fingerpicking acoustic guitar technique, Ken also plays electric guitar, steel resonator guitar, 5-string banjo, mandolin and ukulele. He will be delighting New Zealand audiences with music drawn from throughout his career, ranging from mesmerisingly fast instrumentals to heart-stoppingly beautiful ballads and even some comedy numbers.

In 1996, Ken began working with Ashley Hutchings, the man how founded British folk-rock giants Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band.

After recording four albums with The Albion Band and continuing to record and release his own solo albums, Ken joined legendary folk-rockers Steeleye Span in 2002, touring the world and recording further four albums with the band.

It was after a 2009 tour with Steeleye Span which took him to Australia that Ken first ventured to New Zealand, playing a string of solo performances which began in Perth and visited both North and South Islands.

'A few years ago after a series of Steeleye Span concerts in Australia, there was a three week gap in my schedule and the chance to spend some quality time in New Zealand, travelling not only as a tourist, but also as a musician,” says Ken.

'The experience of visiting relatives, witnessing the country's breath-taking views, the clubs and festivals I performed making so many new friends and especially acquainting myself with my father's home city Dunedin, was meaningful to such a point that I struggle to find the adjectives.”

Ken Nicol appears at The Incubator, Tauranga, on Thursday October 4, along with a very special guest Emily Macklow.

The show starts at 7pm.

For more information visit www.kennicolmusic.com