Vaughn Willis is a dynamic singer and musician from Detroit, MI. Vaughn was taught to sing by his mother at a very young age. His dad played the organ in church, and wowed crowds with his skills on the harmonica. Influenced by his father, Vaughn was given his first harmonica at the age of 4 and he has never stopped playing. Vaughn has never received significant formal musical training, but because he was raised around singers and musicians, his ear for music is very strong and has helped him learn to play the piano, bass, guitar, harmonica, and even hand percussion instruments.
Vaughn moved from Detroit to Phoenix, AZ on New Years Eve in 2004 along with his mother, father, brother and sister. In 2009, Vaughn auditioned for Arizona Idol and was placed among Arizona's top 5 singers out of 900 contestants! Vaughn Willis has opened up for many legendary performers and never disappoints a crowd! Some of the artists he has opened for are Kelly Price, Anthony Hamilton, K-Ci & Jojo, Ro James, Keke Wyatt, Timothy Bloom, Musiq Soulchild, Ginuwine, Donell Jones, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Joe Thomas, Dwele, Ryan Leslie, Lisa McClendon, Al Green (through Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit), Noel Gourdin, K'jon, Slum Village, and Diggable Planets. Vaughn has also performed with CeCe Peniston and was a headliner at the 2024 Arizona Jazz Festival! His musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, Musiq Soulchild, Boys II Men, and his parents, Mark & Arlette.
Vaughn's nickname is "SWIF" which means "SING WHAT I FEEL." Vaughn worked in the corporate world for over 9 years before he decided to take the leap of faith to become a full time performer. He knew that he would have to make a choice between a career that would pay his bills, or his passion for music. SWIF thought that he had a plan for success, but fell prey to his lack of knowledge of the music industry. He was reduced to playing music on the streets in order to earn money to buy food for himself and his pets. SWIF never gave up on his dream to be a performer. He continued to play on the streets and met many people who would eventually become fans as well as friends.
Now SWIF owns the SWIF Music Entertainment LLC! He performs throughout the metro Phoenix area and is positioning himself to become the most well known performer in the state of Arizona!