Hurricane Shayn Wills

Albert King, Junior Wells, Robert Cray, John Hammond Jnr, Canned Heat, Duke Robilard. These names form the basis of the Blues as we know it today. To play support for one of these musicians could be a musician’s career highlight, but to have played support for ALL of them, you have to agree that musician would be of world-class standard. Well, Shayn Wills has played support for each one of these legendary innovative musicians.

At 51 Shayn has now had 30+ years of playing, learning and living the Blues. His voice, guitar and harmonica playing have matured into something extremely special and unique.

Watching Wills play it becomes glaringly obvious he is something special. For starters, his ability to play harmonica, guitar and sing at once is astounding and entertaining. (“ …the way Shayn plays guitar harmonica and sings all at the same time astounds me” Midge Marsden). And he has his own unique style of playing. His playing comes from a place of sincerity and heartfelt passion, and there is something about his playing that is distinctly New Zealand. You could easily say he has created the term “New Zealand Blues”. His complex guitar rhythms, innovative harmonica riffs and melodic voice make him a must-see act. Julie Oakley, a reviewer for the national music magazine ‘Real Groove’ is quoted to say, “Wills is one of the original black Mississippi Blues legends, reincarnated and living in Auckland, (New Zealand)”.