Govi | |
---|---|
Birth name | Santoo Govi |
Born | Germany |
Origin | Hawaii, U.S. |
Genres | New age, New Flamenco, Instrumental, World, Ethnic fusion |
Occupation(s) | Musician, Guitarist, Composer |
Instruments | Guitar |
Years active | 1988–present |
Labels | Real Music, Higher Octave Music, Govi Music |
Website | www.govimusic.com |
Notable instruments | |
Guitar |
Govi (Santoo Govi) is a new age/ambient Hawaiian-German musician. Each of Govi’s albums have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s New Age chart.
In his teens, Govi performed as the lead guitarist in bands that played everything from rock to blues. These experiences led to his first professional gig as a member of a group that played original material and won a national band competition and a recording contract which allowed them to tour throughout Germany.
Although a native of Germany, Govi spent eight years living in India. It was there that Govi started playing the mandolin, mandocello, sitar, bouzouki, charango and the 8-string ukulele. While in India, he established a friendship with German new age artists Deuter and Karunesh. Their mutual admiration and respect led to Deuter co-producing Govi's debut album Sky High throughout which Deuter can be heard playing flutes and keyboards.
His fifth album Guitar Odyssey became one of the most successful albums in its genre; in 1997, it reached the top ten of the "Billboard" new age albums, eventually climbing to number three.
Govi lives in Hawaii. He often collaborates with Karunesh, since he also lives in Hawaii.