Johannes Linstead

It's amazing what Johannes Linstead has accomplished in the five years since the release of his first album SOL LUNA TIERRA in 1999. From winning "Best World Album" to having top-ten charting albums, to top radio airplay, he has become recognized internationally as one of best selling guitarist/composers in the nouveau flamenco genre. Now with the recent release of his fifth CD - MEDITERRANEA - he has again raised the standard with his flair for melodic, innovative, and timeless music.

All of Johannes' albums have charted on Billboard. MEDITERRANEA (Sept. 2004) shot straight to the Top Ten and reached the #6 position and won "Best World Album" in the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards. ZABUCA (2003), ranked in the Top Ten, and charted for 34 weeks. The song "Eleni" from this album was heard around the world as part of Switzerland's Stephane Lambiel's performance in the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships held in Germany. Johannes' third release, GUITARRA DEL FUEGO, was named "Best Contemporary World Album" by the radio trade publication NAV Magazine in 2002, charting on Billboard for 36 weeks. Earlier recordings SOL LUNA TIERRA (1999) and KISS THE EARTH (2000), still remain top sellers years after their initial release.
 
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 strives to create a festive mood, leaving plenty of room for lightning fast guitar improvisations and spicy percussion solos, which include 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, bouzouki, bass, wood flute and various percussion. On his recordings he is backed up by world-class musicians from countries as diverse as Cuba, Columbia, Syria, Greece, Mexico, Russia, India and the Ukraine.

Influenced deeply by the South American and Caribbean cultures he experienced as a youth while on journeys of artistic and spiritual awakening, Johannes states: "The integration of the many cultures I have experienced, from Spain, to the Caribbean Islands, to Latin America, have moved me to create new rhythms and sounds. Experiencing these cultures - not just the music but also the people's everyday triumph over adversity - is what inspires my music."