Johannes Linstead (also records under the name Sevaji) is a Canadian guitarist and instrumentalist who fuses virtuoso Spanish-style guitar with Afro-Cuban,

Middle Eastern The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (European ...

, and

Latin American Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-eth ...

percussion and instrumentation. In 2017, Linstead was awarded the "Best World Album of the Year" in the T.I.M.A Awards (Toronto Independent Music Awards). He has/had an influential artist endorsement deal with the

Yamaha Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation and conglomerate with a very wide range of products and services. It is one of the constituents of Nikkei 225 and is the world's largest musical instrument manufacturing company. The former motorcycle div ...

of America and an endorsee with D'Addario String Co.. Further accolades include being named "Guitarist of the Year" in the prestigious Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards (2007), two NAR Lifestyle Music Awards, a nomination for a

Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...

and others.

Early years

Johannes Linstead began studying guitar at age eight, when he was given a guitar for his birthday. As he progressed, he gravitated to the classical guitar; the only music he was exposed to as a child. In his teens, however, he also developed a love for other styles, such as rock,

flamenco Flamenco (), in its strictest sense, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and ...

, and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

. Popular composers and guitarists which have impacted Linstead as a musician include

Sor Sor may refer to: * Fernando Sor (1778–1839), Spanish guitarist and composer * Sor, Ariège, a French commune * SOR Libchavy, a Czech bus manufacturer * Sor, Azerbaijan, a village * Sor, Senegal, an offshore island * Sor River, a river in the ...

, Tarrega,

Giuliani Giuliani is an Italian family name, which can refer to: * Carlo Giuliani, who died during the demonstrations against 2001 G8 * Carlo Giuliani (bishop), died 1663, bishop of Ston * François Giuliani, (1938–2009) Algerian journalist and publicis ...

Randy Rhoads Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American guitarist. He was the co-founder and original guitarist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot, and the guitarist and co-songwriter for Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo alb ...

, Steve Vai,

Yngwie Malmsteen Yngwie Johan Malmsteen ( ; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, 30 June 1963) is a Swedish guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical playing style in heavy metal, and has released 22 studio albums in a career spanning ov ...

, Jorge Strunz,

Sabicas Sabicas (proper name: Agustín Castellón Campos) (16 March 1912 – 14 April 1990) was a Spanish flamenco guitarist of Romani origin. Biography Sabicas was born in Pamplona, Spain, and began playing guitar at the age of five and made his perfor ...

Paco de Lucia Paco is a Spanish nickname for Francisco. According to folk etymology, the nickname has its origins in Saint Francis of Assisi, who was the father of the Franciscan order; his name was written in Latin by the order as ''Pater Communitatis'' (fath ...

Al Di Meola Albert Laurence Di Meola (born July 22, 1954) is an American guitarist. Known for his works in jazz fusion and world music, he began his career as a guitarist of the group Return to Forever in 1974. Between the 1970s and 1980s, albums such as ' ...

John McLaughlin John or Jon McLaughlin may refer to: Arts and entertainment * John McLaughlin (musician) (born 1942), English jazz fusion guitarist, member of Mahavishnu Orchestra * Jon McLaughlin (musician) (born 1982), American singer-songwriter * John McLaugh ...

and Angel Romero. In high school he joined the school's jazz band and won the "Musician of the Year" award – the first of many awards and recognitions he has since earned. Further influences in his music come from travel across the globe, including India, Bahrain, Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and at least two dozen others. In his early twenties Linstead studied Hung Gar Kung Fu with Dr. Jopet Laraya but after 8 years of practice had to quit in order to prevent damage to his hands during brutal training. He went on to practice Qi Gong and studied with renowned grandmaster Weizhou Wu from China for many years until his death in 2006. In an effort to deepen his spiritual practice Linstead began studying

Kundalini yoga Kundalini yoga () derives from ''kundalini'', defined in tantra as energy that lies within the body, frequently at the navel or the base of the spine. In normative tantric systems kundalini is considered to be dormant until it is activated (a ...

in 2001 and became a KRI certified instructor. Linstead was bestowed the name Seva Singh or "Lion of Devotional Service" by Kundalini yoga master

Yogi Bhajan Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (born Harbhajan Singh Puri) (August 26, 1929 – October 6, 2004), also known as Yogi Bhajan and Siri Singh Sahib to his followers, was an Indian-born American entrepreneur, yoga guru, and spiritual teacher. He introduce ...

. The name Sevaji is derived from "Seva" meaning devotional service, and "ji", a term of respect. Since becoming a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, he teaches whenever his tour schedule permits. In the autumn 2006, Linstead contributed his song "Journey To Alcazaba" to the album project Artists for Charity –

Guitarists 4 the Kids ''Artists for Charity - Guitarists 4 the Kids'' is a compilation album which was produced and arranged by Slang Productions in 2006. Over 18 international artists contributed to the recording project to assist World Vision Canada and their philanth ...

, produced by Slang Productions, to assist World Vision Canada in helping underprivileged kids in need. In the winter of 2006, Johannes founded Divine Earth, an online humanitarian community where members post information about spirituality, health, and world politics. The philosophy of Divine Earth is that in order to attain a happier and healthy world we must first understand what substandard conditions exist that undermine the individual's ability to find inner peace.

Selected recordings

* ''Azul'' (2017) winner of "Best World Album" in the Toronto Independent Music Awards; Top ten on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Most Added charts in the US; #1 on SmoothJazz.com most added; * ''Midnight Rhumba'' (2014) winner of "Best World Album" and the "People's Choice" award in the OWMR Awards in the UK; No. 10 on the Billboard New Age charts in the US; nominated for "Best World Album" and "Best Instrumental Album – Acoustic" ZMR Music Awards. * ''Tales of a Gypsy'' (2012) No. 1 on eMusic.com Flamenco/Tango charts; nominated for 3 ZMR Music Awards. * ''Mistico'' (2009) No. 1 on eMusic.com World Music and Jazz/Blues charts; winner of "Best World Album" and "Best Instrumental Album – Acoustic" in the ZMR Awards, * ''Encanto'' (Johannes Linstead and Nicholas Gunn) (2007) ranked No. 6 on Billboard's New Age Chart, 3 nominations in the NAR Lifestyle Music awards, nominated "Best Latin Album" in the IAP Awards. * ''Cafe Tropical'' (2006) ranked No. 4 on Billboard's New Age chart, No. 1 on eMusic.com World Music chart, winner "Best Music" from Best Magazine, JUNO nominated for "Best Instrumental Album". * ''Mediterranea'' (2004), ranked in the Top Ten on Billboard's New Age chart, reaching the No. 6 position and won "Best World Album" in the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards. * ''Zabuca'' (2003), ranked Top Ten, and charted for 34 weeks. The song "Eleni" from this album was heard as part of

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

's Stéphane Lambiel's performance in the 2004

World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships (''"Worlds"'') is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union. Medals are awarded in the categories of single skating, men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ...

. * ''Guitarra del Fuego'' (2001) was named "Best Contemporary World Album" by NAV Magazine, charting on Billboard for 36 weeks. * ''Kiss the Earth'' (2000) 9 weeks on Billboard's New Age Chart, peak #12. * ''Sol Luna Tierra'' (1999) 3 weeks on Billboard's New Age Chart, peak #17.

JUNO Awards Nominations

2007: Instrumental Album of the Year: Café Tropical, Nominated: Johannes Linstead Total Nominations: 1
Juno Awards Artist Summary Johannes Linstead

Discography

Studio albums

* 1999 - ''Sol Luna Tierra'' * 2000 - ''Kiss the Earth'' * 2001 - ''Guitarra del Fuego'' * 2003 - ''Zabuca'' * 2004 - ''Mediterranea'' * 2006 - ''Café Tropical'' (Nominated for a

for "Instrumental Album of the Year") * 2009 - ''Mistico'' * 2012 - ''Tales of a Gypsy'' * 2014 - ''Midnight Rhumba'' * 2017 - ''Azul'' * 2021 - ''Bohemian Strings''

As Featured Artist

* 2006 - ''We Three Strings'' (Johannes Linstead, Bryan Lubeck, Tomas Michaud) * 2007 - ''Encanto'' (Johannes Linstead and Nicholas Gunn) * 2008 - ''Live!'' ( David Arkenstone, Nicholas Gunn, Johannes Linstead and

Loren Gold Loren Gold is an American keyboardist, vocalist, music director, and songwriter. Gold is the keyboardist and backup vocalist for The Who, and keyboardist/vocalist for the band Chicago. In addition, Loren has been the touring keyboardist and backu ...

) * 2010 - ''Dreams Go By'' (features Monica Fedrigo on Cello) * 2011 - ''Everlasting Joy – Music for Yoga'' (Sevara feat. Johannes Linstead)

Other Compilation Appearances

* 2002 - ''Camino Latino / Latin Journey – Liona Maria Boyd'' (Moston) * 2002 - ''Guitar Greats: The Best of New Flamenco – Volume II'' ( Baja/TSR Records) * 2006 - ''Bolero Gypsies: New Flamenco – Volume II'' (

Bolero Records Bolero is a genre of song which originated in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century as part of the trova tradition. Unrelated to the older Spanish dance of the same name, bolero is characterized by sophisticated lyrics dealing with love. It has ...

) * 2013 - ''Guitar Greats: The Best of New Flamenco – Volume III'' ( Baja/TSR Records)

References

External links

Johannes Linstead , Official Website

Johannes Linstead
on Last.fm

on

Spotify Spotify (; ) is a proprietary Swedish audio streaming and media services provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It is one of the largest music streaming service providers, with over 456 million monthly active us ...

*
Johannes Linstead on Real Music

* ttps://www.emusic.com/artist/rs_251261/Johannes-Linstead Johannes Linstead's eMusic page
Sevaji

Divine Earth
{{DEFAULTSORT:Linstead, Johannes Canadian classical guitarists Canadian male guitarists Living people Musicians from Toronto Latin jazz guitarists Canadian male jazz musicians Year of birth missing (living people)