Lee Fields

A leading figure of American soul since the late 1960s, Lee Fields stops at the Palais des Congrès in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage on 24 February 2027 as part of the Winter Jazz Festival. Born in North Carolina and established early on in New Jersey, he developed a rough yet warm vocal style that blends soul, funk and R&B. From his first 45-rpm single Bewildered (1969) to the album Let’s Talk It Over (1979), his songs range from deep ballads to tight funk and Southern grooves, supported by horns and a precise rhythm section.

After a quieter period, he returned in the 1990s to the soul-blues circuit and became involved with the circles around Desco, Daptone and Soul Fire, notably crossing paths with Sharon Jones. From 2009, his partnership with The Expressions rekindled a series of notable albums: My World, Faithful Man, Emma Jean, Special Night and It Rains Love, followed by Sentimental Fool in 2022. He has also been heard alongside Martin Solveig on tracks where his voice ventures into dance music.

On stage, Lee Fields moves between slow jams that allow the rhythm section to breathe and songs built for groove, backed by forthright horns and no-frills riffs. At Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, he presents a repertoire drawing from all phases of his career, spanning Southern soul, taut funk and classic R&B.