Will Heard

Will Heard

Will Heard is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from London, United Kingdom. His music sits in soul, with elements of blues, folk and funk, and he is associated with funk, jazz, singer-songwriter and neo-soul. He starts developing as an artist in south-west London and describes himself as a storyteller with a voice shaped by soul and related black music traditions.

Background and influences

Heard says music is a major influence from childhood, and he begins to want to be an artist at around the age of nine. He grows up singing along to music played at home. His influences include Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Amy Winehouse, Parliament-Funkadelic and Lauryn Hill.

Instruments and musicianship

Heard is not only a vocalist but also learns several instruments for himself. He plays guitar, saxophone, piano, bass and percussion. Saxophone is his first instrument: he starts learning it at about 10 after hearing Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”, and later takes lessons after initially teaching himself and learning songs by ear. He also tells of first hearing the instrument’s sound on television and then persuading his mother to rent one for him.

Career notes

Heard is active as a recording artist in London after travelling in Cuba, Argentina and Brazil. He works on writing and recording his own material and presents his music as personal songs and stories drawn from his experiences.