Kessler Watson

Kessler Watson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer from Asheville, North Carolina, whose musical journey bridges Appalachian tradition and global influence.

A professional musician since 2017, Watson spent his formative years traveling across the United States—from New Orleans to Seattle—busking on street corners and performing in cities such as Denver, Eugene, Ashland, and Asheville. These early experiences shaped both his sound and his commitment to music as a lifelong craft.

Watson began playing guitar at age 14, initially immersing himself in folk and acoustic traditions. His studies soon expanded into classical guitar, drawing from composers such as J.S. Bach, Fernando Sor, Francisco Tárrega, Agustín Barrios, and Andrés Segovia.

A turning point came with his discovery of jazz, inspired by legends including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and Wes Montgomery. From there, he taught himself to read music and developed fluency in jazz guitar.

His travels also exposed him to musical traditions from around the world. Watson studied West African and Malian styles, influenced by artists such as Ballaké Sissoko and Ali Farka Touré, as well as Cuban son and salsa traditions through Compay Segundo, Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa, and Trio Matamoros. His passion for Latin music led him to build his own Cuban tres, mastering the instrument through dedicated listening and practice. These global influences continue to shape his original compositions and define his evolving musical identity.

Deeply connected to his Appalachian roots, Watson is also an accomplished bluegrass and folk musician. Inspired by regional icons like Doc Watson, Lester Flatt, Reno and Smiley, and Tony Rice, he carries forward the musical traditions of western North Carolina. He performs regularly throughout the Southeast, including Tennessee and South Carolina, sharing a repertoire that reflects both heritage and innovation.

In addition to his solo work, Watson is a member of the Asheville-based Cuban ensemble Ache Tropical, led by vocalist Lianet Gomez. As lead guitarist, pianist, and tres player, he contributes to performances of traditional Cuban music and salsa, further showcasing his stylistic versatility.

Watson is currently developing an album of original instrumental compositions, rooted in a classical approach to solo guitar. His work reflects a synthesis of his diverse influences, combining technical precision with emotional depth.

Following Hurricane Helene, Watson and his fiancée were displaced from their home in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, after flooding destroyed their residence. They have since relocated to Leicester, near Asheville, where Watson continues to perform and create.

Beyond music, Watson is a skilled craftsman who builds split-rail fences, arbors, footbridges, and traditional mountain laurel structures. His work reflects a deep appreciation for Appalachian culture, which also informs his artistry. A descendant of the Wyandotte Tribe, he additionally crafts traditional Native American bows and arrows, honoring ancestral practices.

“My desire to perform music comes from a place in my heart,” Watson says, “to share the gift of music, to inspire something beautiful and lasting, and to remind us that music is the universal language connecting us all.”