Meet James Norkawich

We were lucky to catch up with James Norkawich recently and have shared our conversation below.

James, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

🎙️ Podcast Bio: James A. Norkawich – “America’s Composer” and “Mr. Christmas”
James A. Norkawich is an American pianist, composer, arranger, and producer whose music bridges generations, genres, and emotions. Based in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and originally from Bridgeport, James has earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic and heartfelt composers in modern music — affectionately known to fans and critics alike as “America’s Composer” and “Mr. Christmas.”
With a musical career that spans jazz, classical crossover, pop, gospel, film scoring, and holiday music, James has become a beacon of creativity and authenticity in today’s industry. His albums reflect not just technical mastery, but emotional storytelling — drawing listeners into moments of nostalgia, faith, and hope.
Over the past few years, Norkawich has released an extraordinary collection of projects, including:
🎹 Hometown Homecoming – a deeply personal album about growing up in Bridgeport and rediscovering one’s roots.
🎄 A Norkawich Family Christmas – a narrated and musical journey through his family’s faith, traditions, and memories.
✨ This Christmas Is Forever and Christmas Forevermore – two of his latest 2025 holiday releases blending jazz, pop, and orchestral beauty.
🎶 Under the Mistletoe Lights – a fresh, romantic take on the season that brings warmth, charm, and groove to every listener.
Norkawich’s artistry has not gone unnoticed — his work has been featured in national interviews and television segments, including News 12 Connecticut and The AM Show on the ULFN Network, where he shared the message behind his album Hometown Homecoming and his ongoing mission to inspire through music.
As the Founder and Director of The Lighthouse Project, a Christian-based arts and wellness initiative, James uses music as a tool for healing and purpose. The Lighthouse Project promotes mental health and emotional wellness through music education and performance — reaching students, veterans, and seniors alike. His team includes fellow artists like Jackie DiMaggio, a powerhouse vocalist who has performed alongside Peabo Bryson and for President Donald J. Trump, serving as the organization’s Vice President.
James’s influence extends far beyond the studio. He’s a graduate with a Master’s in Film Scoring and Jazz Studies, a Hammond Artist, and a long-standing advocate for the arts in his home state. His dedication to teaching and mentorship has inspired countless young musicians to see music as both a craft and a calling.
In 2025, James was honored by The Maple Crown Music Honors (Canada) with the President’s Award for Excellence in Music and Scoring, further solidifying his status as one of the most versatile and respected voices in contemporary composition.
His signature sound — lush arrangements, soulful piano melodies, and cinematic storytelling — has made him a year-round favorite, but especially during the holiday season. His music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube, reaching audiences across America and around the world.
At his core, James believes that music has the power to unite people — through faith, family, and love. As he often says:
“Music isn’t just something we listen to… it’s something we live.”

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer whose mission is to make people feel something real every time they hear my music. Whether it’s jazz, classical crossover, pop, gospel, or Christmas music, I’ve always believed that the right melody can lift spirits, comfort hearts, and remind people of what truly matters — faith, family, and love.
What excites me most about what I do is the transformation that happens when music connects people. I can sit at a piano in my studio in Glastonbury, CT, and within hours that same song can be streaming in homes across the world, playing while families decorate the tree, or helping someone through a tough night. That reach — that emotional bridge — is what keeps me writing.
My brand has grown around the idea that music heals. Through The Lighthouse Project, the Christian-based initiative I founded, we use music and the arts to promote mental health and hope among students, veterans, and seniors. I’m blessed to work with extraordinary artists like Jackie DiMaggio, our vice president, whose voice has graced stages alongside legendary performers and even the President of the United States. Together we’re proving that music is more than entertainment — it’s ministry, medicine, and community.
This year has been one of the busiest and most rewarding of my career. I released four full-length Christmas albums — This Christmas Is Forever, Christmas Forevermore, A Norkawich Family Christmas, and Under the Mistletoe Lights — each designed to set a unique mood for the holidays. I also launched new collaborations, expanded The Lighthouse Project, and received the President’s Award for Excellence in Music and Scoring from Canada’s Maple Crown Music Honors.
Looking ahead, my goal is simple: to continue creating music that brings people together, that comforts the weary, and that celebrates the beauty of life in every note. As I often say, music isn’t just something we listen to — it’s something we live.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, there are three core qualities that have guided my life as a musician: discipline, faith, and empathy.
Discipline came first. I learned early that talent opens the door, but discipline keeps it open. Countless hours of practice, study, and refining every note taught me that success doesn’t come from shortcuts — it comes from showing up every day with purpose. My advice to young musicians is simple: treat your craft like a relationship. The more time, care, and consistency you give it, the more it will give back.
Faith has always been my anchor. Music is a spiritual act — a form of prayer, healing, and communication that goes beyond words. Faith has carried me through the long nights in the studio, the quiet moments of doubt, and the times I wondered if anyone was listening. I tell young artists: stay rooted in what you believe. Faith gives meaning to your work when the world feels uncertain.
And finally, empathy. The ability to feel what others feel — joy, loss, love, or hope — is what transforms a musician into a storyteller. My best compositions come from understanding people, not just chords. To new artists, I’d say: listen deeply. Learn from every person, every experience, and let that humanity shape your sound.
These three — discipline, faith, and empathy — are the foundation of everything I do. They keep me grounded, inspired, and grateful every time I sit down at the piano.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents ever did for me was believe in me completely, even when I didn’t believe in myself.
My mom and dad, Elaine and Donald Norkawich, gave me something that can’t be taught — a foundation built on love, faith, and perseverance. They showed me that success doesn’t come from talent alone, but from consistency, humility, and heart. My mother encouraged me to keep playing and never stop creating, while my father taught me strength, discipline, and the value of hard work.
They both made countless sacrifices so I could follow my dream of becoming a musician. Whether it was driving me to rehearsals, sitting through late-night performances, or simply reminding me that music was my gift — they never stopped cheering me on.
Even now, every time I sit at the piano, I hear their voices. Their lessons live in every note I play, every song I write, and every person I try to inspire through music. My parents didn’t just shape the artist I became — they shaped the person I strive to be every day.

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