Wesley Hardisty

Saltspring Island, BC, CA Folk / Fiddle / rock

About

Members: Wesley Hardisty

Label: unsigned

Manager: Ellie Langford Parks

Bio: "Wesley is combining Aboriginal, rock, country and traditional folk influences to produce music that will grab your attention. ....In a world where many young fiddlers seek to impress by playing as hard and fast as possible, its subtlety and maturity is refreshing. He has a lightness of touch and... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

Hey world! On April 19th I'm double billing with Jocelyn Pettit at All Saints by the Sea on Saltspring.

Press

“When Wesley Hardisty realized the nominees were being called for his category at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards he closed his eyes and held onto his chair. "The next thing I knew they called my name," he said. Wesley Hardisty of Fort Simpson won the best fiddle CD category at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards in Winnipeg on Nov. 1. With his debut album entitled 12:12 the young fiddler from Fort Simpson won the best fiddle CD category at the awards ceremony in Winnipeg on Nov. 1. Speaking from Salt Spring Island, B.C., where he currently lives, Hardisty thanked all the voters and his supporters who took the time to vote for him and any other artists they supported. Hardisty also thanked his manager Ellie Langford Parks and the NWT Arts Council, which funded the album.”

— Roxanna Thompson, Northern News Services

“Wesley is combining Aboriginal, rock, country and traditional folk influences to produce music that will grab your attention. His first CD 12:12 came out in May 2011 ....In a world where many young fiddlers seek to impress by playing as hard and fast as possible, its subtlety and maturity is refreshing. He has a lightness of touch and a delicacy to his phrasing that sets him apart. So remember the name, Wesley Hardisty- fiddler, songwriter, multi instrument, inspirational speaker, role model and recording artist. I'm sure we are going to be hearing a lot more from him in years to come- just remember you read it here first!”

— Tim Readman , Pengiun eggs magazine

“A big thank you to Wesley for Ze Cabaret. Wesley's performance was stunning and he's definitely on his way to the big leagues. We are so appreciative of his beautiful performances. The standing ovation was well deserved. He has a serious talent. We are incredibly honoured Wesley took the time to support this event. ”

— Catherine Paquette, Thank you

“Salt Spring musician Wesley Hardisty has been nominated for an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for Best Fiddle CD. The nomination is for his debut CD called 12:12, which was released in May of 2011. Music industry voters determine the nominees in each category and online voting by members of the public determines the winners. The CD features Wallabee Indeed members Geoff McFarlane and Oscar Kempe, music teacher Bruce Smith, producer Daryl Chonka and Quinn Bachand from Victoria. “It was amazing to get this news,” said Hardisty, “just as I was coming home from a northern tour, playing three festivals and teaching in six communities. I am really thrilled.” Wesley wrote or co-wrote five of the 10 tracks on the CD.”

— By Staff Writer - Gulf Islands Driftwood, Gulf Islands Driftwood

“Fiddle genius Hardisty at next Music and Munch afternoon Every so often an entertainer takes up residence on Salt Spring and in short order captures the imagination and hearts of islanders. Such a musician will fill the bill at Music and Munch on Wednesday Aug 22. His name is Wesley Hardisty and his instrument of choice is the fiddle. ”

— ., Gulf Islands Driftwood

““It was a fantastic performance and he was a super-personable guy,” she said. “Attendance (at events) is always lower in the summer, you just have to appreciate that. But it was a close, intimate performance and how often do you get that?” Having received some funding from the NWT Arts Council, Hardisty is travelling to small communities around the NWT to teach and motivate younger generations to explore their own potential through music. Throughout the tour, Hardisty and his manager and guardian Elle Langford Parks will be visiting six communities. During his Hay River performance, Hardisty’s fiddle tones, a variance between rich and haunting smoothly transitioning to upbeat and percussive, echoed throughout the town’s community hall. “The message that you have the ability to go as far as you want can really stick with kids,” said Ashcroft. “He is from a small community and he was able to make it this far and come back to perform. That message does have an effect.”

— Angele Cano, The Hub

“Wesley Hardisty: young and Northern fiddling sensation The sense of maturity in Fiddler Wesley Hardisty performances demonstrate an experience and personal expression that belie his age. Taylor Ashton, lead singer of Fish and Bird, said his band's performance with Hardisty was impressive. “We were really surprised when we found out how young he was and his playing is so, so beautiful; especially how long he has been playing violin,” said Ashton. “He was really gracious and we were really impressed. Surprisingly professional for how young he is.” In many ways, Hardisy has one foot in tradition and one in the future when it comes to his music. Though he is inspired in part by more contemporary rock and roll artists, such as Angus Young of AC/DC, who he suggests has a “confident” presence on stage, and Johnny Cash, whose “Folsom Prison Blues” is a covered highlight of Hardisty's act, the young fiddler admits he is contributing to Northern culture with the fiddle.”

— Simon Whitehouse , Northern News Services

“A young Fort Simpson fiddler is spending part of his summer sharing his passion with Deh Cho youths. Wesley Hardisty, 18, will be visiting four Deh Cho communities this month, as well as Hay River and Yellowknife as part of a workshop tour funded by the NWT Arts Council. When listening to Hardisty's virtuosity on the fiddle, it's difficult to believe he's only been playing for five years.”

— Roxanna Thompson, DehCho Drum

“One-man fiddling machine Wesley Hardisty warmed up the full house with Tweener, a lovely jiggy piece that made my feet bounce. As always, Hardisty is in his element onstage and his love of music shines through in every bow stroke and tap of his toe.”

— Meghan Howcroft , Gulf Islands Driftwood

“I have to tell you that I am always so impressed with Wesley, his incredible talent and he is just such a great person. I know that we were very fortunate to have him play at the cancer relay this year.”

— Chris Bowen , Thank you

“It's hard to capture all the wonderful things that the Heritage Place residents and staff had to say about Wesley and his performance. They were captivated by Wesley's music that so obviously comes from his soul but they were equally captivated by the young man who spoke of himself with great humility and from his heart. We hope that Wesley felt the positive energy that he invoked, and hope he will come back to play again. ”

— Donna Regen, thank you email

“Folk on the Rocks has released a list of 23 solo performers and bands that will perform at the 32nd annual festival on July 19-22 near Long Lake in Yellowknife. Voted in 2010 as one of the top 10 festivals in Canada by CBC Searchlight, the festival annually attracts 4,000-5,000 people. The line-up includes folk/rock singer Bruce Cockburn, singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, Brooklin, Ontario-based blues/folk band Timber Timbre and Toronto-based indie pop band Ohbijou, which executive director Penny Ruvinsky said tends to draw crowds. Performers are a 50/50 mix of southerners and those from North of 60, including acts who have appeared in previous years and ones new to the festival. Confirmed performers include returning acts Wesley Hardisty, Washboard Hank and the Corn Pickles, Pura Fé, Indio Saravanja, Grey Gritt and Snake People. ”

— CHRIS TALBOT,, Northern Journal

“ZE CABARET AT FULFORD HALL Wesley Hardisty – Fiddle Soloist Mesmerizing to watch Wesley is a young virtuoso who’s always exploring and experimenting musically with new instruments and genres.”

— Genevieve Price, saltyfishbowl

“Folk on the Rocks is forever young Festival showcases some of the country's hottest up-and-coming performers Wesley A. Hardisty, 16, has already achieved considerable notoriety in his short career. The Fort Simpson fiddler performed in Vancouver as part of the NWT cultural delegation and as part of B.C. Fiddler Daniel Lapp’s All Star Fiddle Orchestra. Hardisty is enrolled in the Gulf Islands School for Performing Arts on Saltspring Island, B.C.”

— Daron Letts, Northern News Services

“Gulf Islands Secondary School student Wesley Hardisty is featured in the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network show as one of the top 10 up-and-coming aboriginal performers in North America. The segment was taped in November 2010 and aired in December of 2011. Islanders are invited to head down to Shipstones on Friday night for an all-ages public showing of the TV show Breaking New Beats, and live music from one of the stars and his colleagues.”

— Elizabeth Nolan , Gulf Islands Driftwood

"in the Descent (one of my favourite original pieces) Wesley Hardisty rocked the fiddle, Tristan Marcano held it down on guitar, Leonard Hall tickled the ivories and Tasuku Koyama banged it out on drums. This tune was rich and varied, with the musicians clearly enjoying themselves on stage.....The Girl with the Red Balloon (by The Civil Wars) was one of the most intriguing covers of the night, with Hardisty stepping out from under his fiddle to sing alongside songstress Katie Temmel. The harmonies were excellent, the musicians’ voices very complimentary and Temmel’s unique and slightly quirky performance style suited the piece perfectly."

— Meghan Howcroft,, Driftwood

“Well-known to Salt Spring audiences is the other band set to play. Wallabee Indeed is a folk/funk/pop trio with a truly original sound created by band members Wesley Hardisty, Geoff McFarlane and Oscar Kempe.”

— Staff writer , Gulf Islands Driftwood

“Gulf Islands Secondary student Wesley Hardisty will release his first CD with an ArtSpring concert set for Monday, May 2. “This is a project that I’ve been wanting to do for a while now,” Hardisty said. “Now that it’s finished it feels quite amazing . . . Sharing the music with the people that enjoy it is what I’m mostly looking for.” The talented 17-year-old first took up the fiddle four years ago in his hometown of Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, where he was taught by Salt Spring artist Zav RT. Now living on Salt Spring to attend school and advance his musical training, Hardisty’s talent is gaining recognition all over Canada. ”

— Elizabeth Nolan, Gulf Islands Driftwood

“SSI artists offer gifts to Will and Kate Fiddler Wesley Hardisty has already presented his gift to the royal couple. Having just completed Grade 11 at Gulf Islands Secondary School, the teen was in his home territory teaching at the Kole Crook Fiddle Camp in Yellowknife this week. He played with other aboriginal musicians at the Somba K’e Civic Plaza for Will and Kate’s welcoming ceremony on July 5. Prior to the engagement, Hardisty had just finished a session at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s national event in Inuvik where he played several performances, led fiddle workshops for youth and bore witness to the testimony of elders who were impacted by residential schools. Hardisty will be back on Salt Spring later this month, where audiences can look forward to hearing him play with Artist Party Revolution.”

— Elizabeth Nolan - Gulf Islands Driftwood, Gulf Islands Driftwood - News

““Wesley rocked it- he is amazing!””

— Stevie Salas, Aboriginal People Television Network show, Breaking New Beats.

“..." a trio of young men called Wallabee Indeed. These guys really stole the show, cranking out an incredible mixture of rock, blues and Celtic with the fiddle of Wesley Hardisty leading the way. When the crowd kept roaring for more, the organizers tossed the schedule into the trash and just let them play on!" ”

— Jim Russell, 'Fulford Day music a special treat' Driftwood

"Wesley Hardisty rocked the fiddle and I must say, watching this young man make music was an experience in itself — what a talent!"

— Meghan Howcroft, Extreme talent and showmanship‟ article in Driftwood

““Standing on the ArtSpring stage with other young musicians, fiddler Wesley Hardisty is mesmerizing to watch. His toe taps, his body swings, his face is lit behind a swaying sheen of long black hair.””

— Susan Lundy, Driftwood

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Recent Blogs

Please vote for me!
Aug 19, 2012
Hello everyone! Please vote for me in the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award... [more]

NWT Tour
Jul 31, 2012
Been travelling! Four festivals, teaching at a Fiddle camp, and now six communit... [more]

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The Aftermath

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Frank's Delta Dream

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Gilbert's Barn Dance

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Videos

APTN show Breaking New Beats- Winnipeg Nov 2010

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Wed
Jun 19

Music and Munch
Saltspring Island, BC, CA | 12:00pm
Music and Munch
Saltspring Island, BC, CA
Wed Jun 19 12:00pm
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Fri
Jun 21

Campbell Bay Festival
Mayne Island, BC, CA | 12:00pm
Campbell Bay Festival
Mayne Island, BC, CA
Fri Jun 21 12:00pm
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Sat
Jun 29

Alianait Arts Festival
Iqaluit, NUNAV, CA | 5:00pm
Alianait Arts Festival
Iqaluit, NUNAV, CA
Sat Jun 29 5:00pm
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Fri
Jul 19

Islands Folk Festival
Duncan, BC, CA | 12:00pm
Islands Folk Festival
Duncan, BC, CA
Fri Jul 19 12:00pm
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Fawn Fritzen
Hey Wesley. I just saw a vid that Stevie Nande posted on FB, so decided to check you out. And then decided I had to fan you. :) Great job! I miss the Deh Cho, but love it i...