From being named "Guitarist of the Year", to winning six "Best Album" awards, to four top-ten Billboard charting albums, to top-ten radio airplay, Johannes Linstead has become recognized internationally as one of the best selling guitarist and composers in the Instrumental and World Music genres. In 2010 Johannes signed an "Influential Artist" endorsement agreement with Yamaha Corporation of America, the largest musical instrument manufacturer in the world. On stage and on his recordings, Johannes lets loose a fiesta of Spanish guitar magic!
MISTICO, Johannes' new release, has taken his career to new heights, winning two titles in the ZMR Awards being named "Best World Album" and "Best Instrumental Album - Acoustic" plus ranking in the #1 position on eMusic.com's "World Music" and "Jazz/Blues" charts. The album explores the many nuances of the Spanish guitar. From the traditional to the contemporary, from the passionate to the fiery, this masterpiece is a culmination of all his years as a guitarist. Known equally for his beautiful melodies and for his lightning-fast guitar work, multi-award winning composer Johannes Linstead, joins with musicians from around the world; such as Spain, Cuba, Greece, Iran, and Venezuela to make this album a rare gem amongst the Latin guitar genre.
His previous album CAFE TROPICAL reached the #1 position on eMusic.com World Music Chart within the first week of its release and reached the #4 position on the coveted Billboard music charts in the US. After this meteoric rise on the charts, CAFE TROPICAL earned him the "Guitarist of the Year" title in the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards as well as a JUNO nomination in the "Instrumental Album Of The Year" category the same year. MEDITERRANEA (released Sept. 2004) shot straight to the Top Ten, reaching the #6 position and was named "Best World Album" in the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards. All of Johannes' CD have charted on Billboard and are available around the world.
Johannes' live performances are nothing short of phenomenal. Bursting with tropical sounds, audiences are moved to dance and clap along to his music. In concert, as on his recordings, Johannes and his group create a festive mood with plenty of lightning fast guitar improvisations and spicy percussion solos alive with the driving beats of bongos, congas, timbale and doumbek. Lively Latin and Mediterranean rhythms combined with Johannes' technical virtuosity leave audiences breathless.
A hugely talented multi-instrumentalist, Johannes plays; guitar, piano, mandolin, sitar, bouzouki, bass, wood flute and various percussion instruments. On his recordings he is backed by world-class musicians from countries as diverse as Cuba, Columbia, Syria, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Venezuela, the Ukraine and India.
Influenced deeply by the many journeys he has experienced, Johannes states, "The influence of the many countries I have visited; from Spain, to the Caribbean Islands, to the Far East, have moved me to create new rhythms and sounds. Experiencing these cultures - not just the music but also the people's everyday triumph over hardships - is what inspires my music."
