James began playing the piano at the age of four, inspired by his sister's piano playing and the joy of making music together. As he was too young to attend a music school, his father, a former drummer, became his first music teacher. At just 10 years old, James caught the attention of renowned pianist Eliane Rodrigues during a master class. She was particularly struck by the emotional depth he brought to his music at such a young age and decided to offer him private lessons to nurture his talent. Over the following years, James studied numerous classical pieces and earned several prizes in classical piano competitions. His favorite composers included Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy.
At 15, James began composing his own music, drawing inspiration from his challenging youth and his fascination with the universe. His compositions were deeply expressive, capturing his emotions and imagination. He was also influenced by Greek philosophy, mythology, and the poetry of figures like Homer and Shakespeare, along with the mathematical and physical mysteries of the universe. These themes would remain a consistent source of inspiration throughout his later works. During this period, he was particularly influenced by the music of Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer, and Tony Anderson.
When James turned 18, he enrolled in university to study mathematics. However, rather than focusing on established theories, he found himself inventing his own concepts. He spent his time composing and playing chess, often neglecting his academic studies. The lack of recognition for his creativity led him to leave university and pursue his music full-time. He enrolled in the conservatory in Antwerp to study music composition.
In late 2019, James won the popular TV show Belgium's Got Talent, where he wowed the jury with a self-composed cinematic arrangement for piano and orchestra, performed on a grand piano accompanied by a full orchestra. Following this success, James decided to leave the conservatory to focus entirely on his career as an artist, with the goal of performing internationally and sharing his music with the world.
What was meant to be the successful launch of his career took an unexpected turn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of his scheduled concerts following his win on Belgium's Got Talent were either canceled or postponed, including his record deal with Sony Entertainment. Many of his fans from the TV show faded away, and James faced incredibly challenging times both professionally and personally. The loss of his best friend to suicide in 2021 had the most profound impact on him. Despite these hardships, it strengthened his resolve to never give up. It fueled his determination to pursue his goal of inspiring the world through his music and making it a better place. His mission became one of healing and helping others, offering what he couldn’t give his best friend. He remained focused on creating a world of love, light, and freedom — a world he believed in deeply.
To personally deliver this message to the world, after giving a couple of uncrowded, self-organized concerts in Belgium, in the winter and spring of 2022, James embarked on a journey across Europe as a street musician, aiming to inspire and connect with people from all walks of life. Despite the harsh cold — at times performing outdoors in temperatures close to freezing — he found the experience to be an incredible adventure. It not only allowed him to engage with a wide variety of people but also inspired him to create a wealth of new music.
After his journey through Europe, James traveled to Los Angeles to attend masterclasses in film music. During his free time, he played at iconic locations like the Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade. There, he was shocked by the strong contrast between wealth and poverty. So he decided to use his music to help, and he began performing for the many homeless people in the area. While James played, his girlfriend offered food and drinks to those in need.
Later that same year, James moved to Paris to further develop his artist career, collaborating with a manager. He continued performing on the streets, this time at the picturesque Pont d’Arcole, near the iconic Notre-Dame. However, after a few months, James decided to part ways with the management and pursue his own path, choosing to stay true to himself and his artistic vision
In January 2023, James moved to Ostend, where he organized a few self-managed concerts. However, the results were discouraging — nearly empty halls and high expenses. Despite his efforts, his original music received little recognition, except from those who enjoyed it on the streets. No booking agency, label, or media outlet in his home country showed any interest in his past achievements. And every time he reached out, he was either ignored or rejected. To make matters worse, the city and police in Ostend prohibited him from performing in public spaces such as the streets, parks, and beaches.
Undeterred, James refused to comply, as his mission was also about fighting for freedom. As a result, he faced numerous fines. When he was nearly arrested, and after his music equipment was stolen multiple times, those close to him advised him to quit his music career, believing it clearly wasn’t working. But James chose to keep going, because he knew he had already healed and inspired many people through his music and efforts, and if no one in the industry would help him, he was prepared to achieve success on his own terms, working tirelessly day and night if necessary.
He began building a fanbase on social media, creating exceptional piano videos and livestreams in natural settings. He even performed with headphones so only the viewers in the livestreams could hear the music, preventing the police from intervening. James ventured to unique and challenging locations with his keyboard — such as rooftops to capture sunsets, and even the mountains — to bring the cinematic quality of his music and the beauty of nature to his audience. In less than six months, his videos and livestreams started going viral across social media platforms.
By the end of 2023 and into early 2024, James held two successful self-organized cinematic piano shows in his home country, proving that his determination had begun to pay off.
In March 2024, the label Nordic Euphonic Records (NER) reached out to James about releasing his music. This collaboration helped his songs gain more visibility on streaming platforms, further expanding his reach. During the spring, James embarked on a journey through Paris, Vienna, and the Alps, continuing to draw inspiration from the beauty of these locations.
Upon returning in June 2024, he moved back to his hometown Genk, Belgium, where he established his own music studio to record and produce his music. James's music and mission began attracting worldwide attention, with his livestreams and videos reaching millions of people across the globe. He decided to go on a world tour in 2025, with his own show, Piano - Darkness and Light. The tour will kick off in New York City in February 2025, followed by performances across Europe.
