Johannes Linstead Explained

Johannes Linstead
Landscape:yes
Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Alias:Sevaji
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Origin:Sosúa, Dominican Republic
Instrument:Guitar
Genre:New Flamenco, instrumental, Latin, world, new-age, jazz, Spanish guitar, tropical
Occupation:Musician, guitarist, composer, spiritual teacher
Years Active:1999–present
Label:Real Music, Earthscape Media, Divine Earth Media
Associated Acts:Nicholas Gunn

Johannes Linstead (also records under the name Sevaji) is a Canadian guitarist[1] and instrumentalist who fuses virtuoso Spanish-style guitar with Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, and Latin American 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 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 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, and jazz. Popular composers and guitarists which have impacted Linstead as a musician include Sor, Tarrega, Giuliani, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jorge Strunz, Sabicas, Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Angel Romero.[2] [3]

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.[4]

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.[2]

In an effort to deepen his spiritual practice Linstead began studying Kundalini yoga 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. 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, produced by Slang Productions, to assist World Vision Canada in helping underprivileged kids in need.[5]

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

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

As featured artist

Other compilation appearances

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Goes down easy . July 6, 2006 . . June 30, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512075813/http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/entertainment/story.html?id=6ceaa1f8-6dcb-4256-8818-8e3e705dbc63&k=52025 . May 12, 2014 .
  2. Web site: Johannes Linstead Interview. Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. March 9, 2013. October 16, 2005.
  3. Web site: Johannes Linstead Fave 5 Record Reviews. Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. March 9, 2013. 2008.
  4. Web site: Awards . 2012-08-30.
  5. Web site: Slang Productions – Guitarists 4 the Kids. Slang Productions. March 30, 2014. September 11, 2006.
  6. Web site: Johannes Linstead : Tales of a Gypsy Review. Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. January 1, 2015. March 29, 2013.

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