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Karan Khosla

Jazz Guitarist and Educator based in India

About Me

Originally educated as a physicist, Karan Khosla had a long career in finance and management consulting before transitioning into a completely different universe. Although he studied music while pursuing his degree in physics in the US, he could not fully pursue his passion until his early thirties. He financed his musical journey and further education while maintaining a full-time job, proving that passion knows no bounds. Karan has carved a niche for himself as a first-call session guitarist, composer, and educator for both local and visiting international artists. Based in the captivating landscapes of Goa, he benefited from nearly a decade of training under American jazz guitar luminaries including Jonathan Kreisberg.

Karan and his collaborations have been significant players in India's burgeoning jazz scene. He has hundreds of formative gigs to his name and multiple appearances at prestigious festivals, performing under his own name at the Jazz India Circuit, Serendipity Arts Festival, and UNESCO International Jazz Day 2023. Karan has performed across the country with some of India's best artists such as Lucia, and visiting artists like Ben Van den Dungen, Amber Kuti Smith, and many others. Karan's debut EP “Horizons” is availble on All About Jazz, Bandcamp and Spotify from January 2025.

Karan's vision for music education has materialised in the form of the Goa Jazz Academy, a beacon of higher music education in India and the broader South Asia region. In a mere four years, “GJA” has become an institution with over 200 students spread across the subcontinent. GJA has hosted 50 world- class events, including a grand celebration of International Jazz Day in association with UNESCO that drew an audience exceeding 700 people.

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My Jazz Story

Jazz has always fascinated me because it offers a limitless space for creativity—both as a listener and as a creator. It’s music that thrives on exploration, where structure and spontaneity coexist. There’s a certain freedom in jazz that feels deeply human, and that’s what drew me to it. My introduction to jazz came later in life, in my late twenties, at a festival in India. It wasn’t a genre I had actively sought out before, but hearing it live changed something for me. The interplay between the musicians, the improvisation, and the sheer energy of the performance pulled me in completely. It felt raw and alive in a way I hadn’t experienced with other music. Since then, I’ve dived deeper into the world of jazz, and the albums of Chet Baker have become a constant touchpoint for me. I find myself returning often to his collaborations with guitarists like Doug Raney and Philip Catherine. There’s something timeless about their interplay—subtle, melodic, and full of space for each voice to breathe. Their work strikes that perfect balance between complexity and simplicity, and it never feels overplayed. For me, jazz isn’t just about the music itself but the experience of discovery it inspires. Whether it’s hearing a new take on a standard or revisiting a familiar record, there’s always something fresh waiting to be uncovered. It’s a journey I’m glad I started, even if a little late.

My House Concert Story

One of the most magical house concert memories I hold dear is from when my wife and I first moved to Goa. We had just rented a charming little house nestled in the village of Guirim, North Goa. It was more than just a home—it was the seed of a dream to create a space for jazz education, which later blossomed into The Goa Jazz Academy. After a few weeks of settling in, we felt the pull to create something special. “What if we host a jam session?” we thought. Not knowing what to expect, we invited a few students, printed some posters, and put them up across Goa. The invitation was simple: come, play, and enjoy the music. Little did we know what magic the evening would hold. That Sunday night was warm and golden, the kind of evening Goa seems to conjure effortlessly. To our surprise and delight, over 60 people showed up! The crowd was a beautiful mix of adventurers, music lovers, and artists—musicians from Italy, Russia, the UK, and local Goans who call this vibrant place home. The space came alive with the sound of saxophones, guitars, drums, and voices harmonizing in a perfect, unscripted rhythm. Strangers became friends as laughter and music filled the air. What struck me most was the unique magic of Goa itself. This place draws the adventurous—the ones who crave something more, who are open to serendipity. It felt like Goa wrapped its arms around our gathering and whispered, “Yes, this is where you’re meant to be.” By the end of the night, we were left with more than just memories. We had experienced the essence of community, the universal language of jazz, and the sheer joy of taking a chance. That evening wasn’t just the beginning of a tradition; it was the start of a dream taking shape!