James discovered the piano at age four, inspired by his sister and guided early on by his father, a former drummer. At just ten, he impressed pianist Eliane Rodrigues with the emotional depth of his playing and began private lessons that set the foundation for his success in classical competitions. His favorite composers included Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy.

By fifteen, James was writing his own music, weaving influences from his turbulent youth, philosophy, mythology, and the cosmos into expressive, cinematic compositions.

After briefly studying mathematics, James shifted his focus fully to music, enrolling in Antwerp’s conservatory before pursuing his career independently. In 2019, he won Belgium’s Got Talent with a powerful self-composed work for piano and orchestra, marking the start of his journey toward an international stage.