Johannes Linstead From winning two "Best World Album" awards to having three top-ten charting albums, to top radio airplay, Johannes Linstead has become recognized internationally as one of best selling guitarist/composers in the nouveau flamenco genre. Now with the release of his sixth album, CAFE TROPICAL, Johannes once again let's loose a fiesta of Spanish guitar magic! All of Johannes' albums have charted on Billboard. CAFE TROPICAL reached the #4 position on Billboard magazine and the #1 position on eMusic.com's World Music chart. in the first week of its' release it was a "featured album" on iTunes. MEDITERRANEA (Sept. 2004) shot straight to the Top Ten and reached the #6 position. It was also named "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 by world-class musicians from countries as diverse as Cuba, Columbia, Syria, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Venezuela, the Ukraine and India. Influenced deeply by the journeys he experienced as a youth, 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."