Wesli

Haitian guitarist and singer, Wesli, born Wesley Louissaint in Port-au-Prince, built his first guitar at the age of eight by stringing an old oil can with nylon fishing line. From these humble beginnings, he has gone on to become one of Haiti’s most inspiring and celebrated musical ambassadors, with the sounds of his childhood – from Evangelical gospel to reggae, Afrobeat, funk and the diverse roots music of Haiti – continually influencing his compositions.

Wesli has earned acclaim across the globe for his joyful, passionate Haitian-based music, energizing live performances and charming personality. In 2019, his accomplishments were officially honored when he won the Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year for Rapadou Kreyol. Now residing in Canada, the award-winning musician aims to give a new mainstream life to rhythms and instruments that he says have been neglected, as Haiti faces an increasing amount of global commercial music and culture. “Each Haitian roots rhythm reflects different situations and requires different drums and instruments,” Wesli explains. “One unique thing we do in all these genres is dance! We dance to everything in Haiti.” After experiencing the joyful, passionate music played around him as a child, both by his parents and his broader community, he dreamed of becoming a professional musician. He likes to say, “music chose me to share its spirit.”

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