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From The Times
May 18, 2005

‘I know the Piano Man'

By Martin Penner
THE mystery surrounding the identity of a pianist who is unable to express himself except through music took an unexpected twist last night when a Polish mime artist claimed they were friends.

The performer, who is called Darius and is working in Rome, said he became friends with the musician six years ago. The Pole said the mystery man is called Steven Villa Masson.

More than 400 people have contacted a helpline providing several identities and nationalities for the man, who is in his 20s or early 30s. Police found him wandering aimlessly on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, in April.

All efforts to communicate with the shy man have failed. But he was nicknamed the Piano Man after it emerged he had an oustanding talent for the instrument.

Darius said the photograph he saw in an Italian newspaper could be a likeness of his friend, who he has not seen for nine months. He has given the description of a talented musician. “He’s an artist who loves the piano. His favourite artists are Chopin, Liszt, and Bach.”

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