Neil is an acknowledged virtuoso on his instrument and regarded as one of the outstanding harmonica players from New Zealand. He has played at jazz, blues, and folk festivals here and overseas and with many of the best musicians in those genres in this country.
At the core of his sound is the blues and he was strongly influenced by the great blues musicians from Chicago and the West Coast. He has extended his style to include other genres and especially jazz. He will be treating listeners to his renditions of some of the standards from the American songbook, and especially the ballads, which bring out the unique tonal qualities of the chromatic harmonica. Added to that are some of the tunes of the great jazz soloists like Charlie Parker - a challenge for any musician but none more so than the harmonica! There will also be a segue into modern stylists like Billy Cobham and the greatest composer in popular music Stevie Wonder.
Each of those playing with Neil are amongst the best musicians to be heard in New Zealand on their instruments and will bring their own unique "take" on the music to this performance.
Neil Billington - harp and vocals.
Nick Granville - guitar
Duncan Haynes - piano
Patrick Bleakley - bass
Darren Mathiasen - drums