Johannes Linstead

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Johannes Linstead (also known as Sevara) is an award-winning Canadian guitarist and instrumentalist that fuses virtuoso Spanish-style guitar with Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, and Latin American percussion and instrumentation. His recordings of world music have all charted on Billboard Magazine. In 2007, Johannes was named "Guitarist of the Year" in the prestigious Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, and his CD, Cafe Tropical, earned a JUNO nomination for "Best Instrumental Album".

Johannes began studying guitar at the age of eight, when he was given a guitar for his birthday. As he progressed, he naturally gravitated to the classical guitar, as that was the only music he was exposed to as a child. However, in his teens he also developed a love for other styles, such as rock, flamenco, and jazz. In high school he joined the school's jazz band and won the "Musician of the Year" award - the first in a long list of awards and recognitions he has since earned.

Further influences in his music come from his journeys across the globe, including India, Bahrain, Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and at least two dozen others!

Having studied Kundalini yoga for many years, Johannes was bestowed the name Seva Singh or "Lion of Devotional Service" by Kundalini yoga master Yogi Bhajan. The name Sevara is derived from "Seva" meaning devotional service, and "Ra", the sun aspect which corresponds to his astrological sign. Having become a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, he teaches whenever his tour schedule permits.

In the winter of 2006, Johannes founded the Divine Earth Organization, 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.

[edit] Selected recordings

Encanto (2007) ranked #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 #4 on Billboard's New Age chart, #1 on eMusic.com World Music chart, won "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 #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's Stephane Lambiel's performance in the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships.
Guitarra del Fuego (2002) was named "Best Contemporary World Album" by NAV Magazine, charting on Billboard for 36 weeks.
Kiss the Earth (2000)
Sol Luna Tierra (1999)