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James Malikey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Benjamin Ceyssens Genk, Belgium |
| Origin | Belgium |
| Occupations | Pianist, composer |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Label | Aemeralds |
James Malikey (born Benjamin Ceyssens) is a Belgian pianist and composer from Genk, Belgium.[1]
Early life and education
editCeyssens was born in Genk, Belgium. He began playing piano at a young age and later pursued formal music studies.[2]
Career
editBelgium’s Got Talent
editIn 2019, Ceyssens won the Belgian edition of Belgium’s Got Talent, receiving national media coverage following his victory.[1]
International development
editAfter his win, he continued performing under the name James Malikey and embarked on performances across Europe.[3]
He was featured on the Belgian regional television channel TV Limburg, where he discussed performing under his professional name.[4]
Press coverage also noted performances connected to Los Angeles and references to Hollywood appearances.[5]
He also participated in charity-related performances in Los Angeles.[6]
2020–2022
editFollowing his win, plans for an album with Sony Music and further studies in Los Angeles were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of concerts and projects.[2]
After restrictions eased, he travelled to Los Angeles for masterclasses and later performed as a street musician in several European cities.[2]
2023–present
editBelgian media reported that his online performances contributed to a growing international audience.[2] He later signed with Aemeralds, a label affiliated with Warner Music, and began organizing international concerts independently.[2]
By 2025, press coverage described him as touring internationally, with performances in cities including New York, Berlin, Vienna, London and Turin.[2]
His tour was titled Piano – Darkness and Light, a concept referring to the contrast between the black and white keys of the piano as symbolic of hardship and hope.[2]
In June and September 2025, he performed in his hometown Genk at the Stadsschouwburg.[2]
In October 2025, the French newspaper Le Parisien profiled Malikey in connection with performances in Paris.[7]
Musical style
editMedia profiles describe Malikey's work as contemporary piano, often associated with cinematic and neoclassical influences.[2]
Discography
edit- Different Worlds
- Ethereal Silver
- Moody Blue
Awards
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "In 2019 won Benjamin (24) nog Belgium's Got Talent". HLN (in Dutch).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Genkse pianist James Malikey maakt naam en faam van Berlijn tot New York: "Corona heeft mijn kansen afgepakt"". Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch). 22 May 2025.
- ↑ "Van Genk naar wereldsteden: Benjamin Ceyssens (25) verovert harten met piano". HLN (in Dutch).
- ↑ "Hallo Limburg: Benjamin Ceyssens is James Malikey" (in Dutch). TVL.
- ↑ "Genkse winnaar Belgium's Got Talent naar Hollywood na concert in C-Mine". Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch).
- ↑ "Hij won Belgium's Got Talent en trad op voor daklozen in Los Angeles". Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch).
- ↑ "Une ville tellement inspirante: ancien pianiste dans la rue, James Malikey fait ses débuts sur scène à Paris". Le Parisien (in French). 24 October 2025.
- ↑ "Winner information (Global Photography Awards)". Global Photography Awards.
- ↑ "Winner information (European Photography Awards)". European Photography Awards.