Event details

Event details

Moe's Alley Presents: Wesli w/ special guests Mokili Wa
Wed Jun | 14 2023 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
Moe's Alley , 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA
$18 advance / $23 day of show

About This Event

Moe's Alley Presents Haitian roots reggae, Afrobeat and Rara star, Wesli with special guests Mokili Wa!

Wednesday, June 14th
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
$18 in advance / $23 day of the show
21+

WESLI
Born Wesley Louissaint in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's Wesli has grown into his role as a prolific songwriter, guitarist and producer. Uniting a large cross section of Montreal talent, his music links Haitian voudou and rara with roots, Afrobeat, and hip-hop. Guest spots on his albums include the likes of Tiken Jah Fakoly, Paul Cargnello, and Malika Tirolien. He has toured under the GlobalFest banner with the Caribbean All Stars.

Since being crowned the Revelation Radio-Canada for 2009–2010, Wesli has gone on to win the Babel Med Music Prize (2010), SOCAN’s Hagood Hardy Award (2016), an award from the Académie Charles CROS (2019), a Juno for World Music (2019), a Félix for Album of the Year in World Music (2019), and a CFMA for World Solo Artist of the Year (2020). He has toured across North America, Haiti, Colombia, Brazil, and Europe, and participated in WOMEX, Mundial Montréal and Cape Verde’s Atlantic Music Expo.

Be it in an acoustic formation (guitar, voice and percussion) or with his bigger band, Wesli consistently delivers a rich, festive and uniquely engaging sound. He conquers the heart of his audience through complex musical arrangements and universal messages of hope, truth and peace. Bringing together a wide range of Montreal and Haitian talents, Wesli's music unites Haitian voodoo and rara with roots, reggae, Afrobeat, electronic music and hip-hop flavors.

Wesli's most recent release, Tradisyon, focusing on Haitian roots, acoustic and traditional styles, was released on October 21st, 2022.

“Born in Haiti, tempered in West Africa and Montreal, the guitarist and songwriter takes Haitian traditions like vodou, street styles like rara, and finds links with everything from reggae to quirky Acadian hip hop." - Rootsworld

"Wesli has won a broad audience with his mix of Haitian music with reggae, pop and rock. There's a huge enthusiasm, fine singing and playing and a real sense of joy. Wesli's star will soon shine far beyond Canada's borders." - Songlines

MOKILI WA
The band was formed organically in 2019, with each of us pulled close by the gravity of Elie's sound and spirit. His unique musical understanding and warm-heartedness guided us into our community which came to be known as "Mokili Wa."
 
Please Note: This event is 21 and over. Any Ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event, and will not be eligible for a refund.