The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

30 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 9, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2007 By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 30 Café Tropical earns Linstead Juno nomination When Johannes Linstead got an invitation to attend the announcement of this year's Juno nominees, he wasn't sure what to think. After all, he'd put out five records of similar quality to his most recent ­ Café Tropical ­ and had never received the Juno nod. "After I got the invitation, I asked, `Does that mean I've been nominated?' But they wouldn't tell me," said the Oakville resident. "So I went not really knowing what to expect." After the shock wore off upon hearing his name as one of five nominees for Instrumental Album of the Year, Linstead says, "I was thrilled." "It's really quite an honour to be recognized like this." And it certainly wasn't expected, the flamenco guitarist, singer and songwriter admits. "I put out five other albums before this and none of them had been nominated, so I was starting to think maybe it's just not ever going to happen. To get a nomination on this one was really quite a surprise," said Linstead. "Maybe it's just that the stars were aligned in the sky. I think my other albums, I would say, are Johannes Linstead at least as good." But Café Tropical has enjoyed more success venues, now I can say Juno nominee. That right than Linstead's previous albums. It hit the number there is a huge, huge bonus, a huge plus," he said. four spot on Billboard in the United States ­ the "A lot of these venues get tons of submissions for highest any of his records has ever climbed on the performances, and everybody needs something to charts. set them apart. Being able to say That may be why his Latin Juno nominated, it puts you in a "I put out five other rhythms this year caught the whole different league." attention of the Canadian albums before this and And for Linstead, who's Academy of Recording Arts and none of them had been enjoyed most of his success in Sciences, which selects artists nominated, so I was the United States, it's nice to get for Juno nominations. a nod from Canada. starting to think maybe "It seems to be doing mar"It's given me, I guess, a lot it's just not ever going ginally better," Linstead said of more presence here, which is Café Tropical, adding, "I really to happen." nice." don't know why, it's hard to That's not the only Canadian Johannes Linstead say." award he's up for, though. April He hit the music scene with could turn out to be a big month his debut album eight years ago, for Linstead. On top of the Juno, Sol Luna Tierra, which sold more than 100,000 which will be announced April 1 in Saskatoon, copies and cracked American Billboard charts. Linstead for the third straight year is also up for the That was the first of six albums, all with a Latin Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards' Guitarist of the flavour. That style of music comes from a diverse Year. upbringing thanks to his parents, Linstead says. Having not won the award before, Linstead is "I think I've always had more of a European hoping the third time's a charm. upbringing. When I was a kid, my dad actually lived As for the Juno ­ he's up against albums by for a while in Bahamas, so we would travel to the Natalie MacMaster, Sister Euclid, Joel Fafard and Caribbean. I always had exposure to various cul- the Bell Orchestre ­ Linstead says his odds look tures." pretty good. Compared to his past records, Linstead says his "I have a one in five chance, that's 20 per cent," most recent is "pretty similar, but goes in the he said, laughing. "That's not bad, we'll see what Cuban direction." happens." Four guest artists are included on Café Tropical Linstead is the featured guest artist May 26 at an ­ Hilario Duran, an award-winning Latin jass Oakville Children's Choir concert ­ Fiesta! ­ at pianist, Hari Pal on tabla, Sina Khosravi on doum- Clearview Christian Reformed Church, 2300 bek and Alexis Baro on trumpet. Sheridan Garden Dr. "Hopefully after the award, the CD will do marThe concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost ginally better," he said. $20 for adults, $25 for children and seniors. Being a Juno nominee has already helped. For more on Johannes Linstead, visit "When I'm sending out press kits or contacting www.johanneslinstead.com. Licensed to Kilt FUN - RAISER: Tyler Travis (top), of the Hamilton Police Pipe Band pipes guests into dinner for the Halton Child and Youth Services' Gala 007 - Licensed to Kilt at the Oakville Conference Centre last Friday. Jim Smith (left), husband of Special Events Coordinator of The Foundation for Halton Child and Youth Services, Marilyn Smith, shows off his legs in his kilt. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson try their luck at the blackjack table. Nizar Esmail, of CIBC Wood Gundy, the presenting sponsor, pours a martini for Kirsten Dougherty, director of the Foundation for Halton Child and Youth Services. PHOTOS BY LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER