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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.
Playlist
Theme Song
My Jazz Story
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!
