Benjamin Clementine - Cornerstone - as seen on Jools Holland

At 24 years old, British musician Benjamin Clementine made his television debut on BBC 2's Later… with Jools Holland last night.  The Paris based artist, whose informal, close up gigs have acquired cult status, performed 'Cornerstone', the title track of current and debut EP which will receive an official UK release in January 2014.

Clementine left Edmonton - long rated one of the most deprived, crime ridden areas of London - for Paris aged just 20; there’d been trouble with a flat-mate, a brief infatuation with a woman who was half-Brazilian, half-French, and an overwhelming urge to get away.

When his money ran out, he started sleeping rough and then busking inside the Metro at Place de Clichy station, where he would put his grey Kangol hat on the floor to collect donations and sing acapella.

From there, what was born out of a need to survive, became a calling for Clementine and an experience for the thousands of Parisian commuters that saw him perform daily for nearly two years, building his voice and refining his craft, as he made enough money to move first to a hostel and then into a room of his own.

Clementine will perform a headline show at the Purcell Room on December 12, along with support slots for Woodkid and Sam Amidon on their forthcoming headline shows.

www.facebook.com/benjaminclementine

Upcoming UK gigs:
October 26th, 2013 – London, LSO ST Luke’s (supporting Sam Amidon)
November 13th, 2013 – London, Brixton Academy (supporting Woodkid)
December 12th, 2013 – London, Purcell Room (headline show)