Karan Joseph was known for jazz improvisations. The 29-year-old musician from Bengaluru had been living in Mumbai and was known as one of the most up and coming artistes one the music scene. The young musician was known for carrying his keyboard around wherever he went, his friend and Soulmate bandmate Rudy Wallang told Suanshu Khurana and Srinath Rao for Indian Express.
On Saturday, Karan’s life was cut short when he allegedly jumped from a window of a 12th floor apartment in Bandra, Mumbai. He was apparently suffering from depression, reported PTI.
According to investigators, Joseph had come to Mumbai and was living with a friend, Rishi Shah, on the 12th floor of Concorde Apartments in Bandra since last month.
As Shah and some of their friends were watching television this morning, Joseph suddenly got up, ran to the window and jumped down.
His friends immediately informed local police and he was rushed to Bhabha Hospital, were he was declared dead on admission.
Police, who did not recover any suicide note from the site, are investigating the motives leading to his suicide.
"We have registered an accidental death report at Bandra Police Station. Police is carrying out a preliminary inquiry in the matter and his mobile is being sent to the forensic lab," DCP Karandikar told the media.
Joseph's family in Bengaluru had been informed and they are expected here soon to take possession of the body, police added.
Often called a "child prodigy" for his excellent command over piano, which he started playing at the age of five. Joseph passed with top honours from the Bangalore School of Music, Royal School of Music and the Trinity College of Music.
Later, he learnt to study piano professionally at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, USA, where he trained under veterans like Danilo Perez, Hal Crook and Jeff Covell.
Over the years, he played piano and performed at many events and venues like Blue Frog in Mumbai, Opus, Bflat & Herbs and Spices in Bengaluru, Shisha Jazz Cafe in Pune, and Rockwood Music Hall, Smalls, Fat Cat, 55 Bar and others in New York.
His talent with the keyboard also earned him the moniker ‘Madfingers’. He also became popular as The Karan Joseph Project and performed with various artistes across the country like Victor Wooten, Mike Stern, Dennis Chambers, David Binney, Amit Heri, L. Subramanium and Prasanna.
Singer and composer Vishal Dadlani expressed his grief at the young artiste’s death on Twitter. "Destroyed. Karan Joseph, one of the most incredible Indian musicians has committed suicide. Played with Pentagram on our MTV Unplugged set," he tweeted.
Destroyed. Karan Joseph, one of the most incredible Indian musicians, has committed suicide. Played with Pentagram on our MTV Unplugged set.
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) September 9, 2017
#KaranJoseph was a genius. Should have been far more celebrated than he was. It's really unfair, how the music scene works in India. :(
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) September 9, 2017
RIP Karan Joseph. Thanks for all the great music & may the truth set you free. Fly on to the great gig in the sky.
— Warren Mendonsa (@blackstratblues) September 9, 2017
(With IANS inputs)