Ben l'Oncle Soul

Under the name Ben l’Oncle Soul, singer-songwriter Benjamin Duterde, born in Tours in 1984, has been crafting Francophone soul since the late 2000s, drawing on R&B, gospel, and pop. Steeped in the tradition of American soul and choral singing, he first made his mark on the French scene with the covers EP “Soul Wash” in 2009, then with the 2010 album “Ben l’Oncle Soul,” which blends French lyrics, a retro groove, and instantly recognizable hooks. His career continued with “À coup de rêves” in 2014, opening his writing further toward chanson and more pop-leaning arrangements, before a jazz turn with “Under My Skin” in 2016, a project centered on Frank Sinatra’s repertoire and a big-band aesthetic. Returning to a more intimate format, he released “Addicted to You” in 2020 and “Is It You?” in 2023, oriented toward contemporary soul and R&B with neo-soul inflections, often in English. On stage, Ben l’Oncle Soul performs in clubs, venues, and festivals in France and abroad, with variable lineups that let him move between soul energy, jazz nuances, and hip-hop touches, sometimes using the shortened name Ben as he continues along this path.