Benny Waters

Benjamin Waters (January 23, 1902, Brighton, Baltimore, Maryland – August 11, 1998, Columbia, Maryland) was a jazz saxophonist and clarinetist known in part for the longevity of his career.[1]

For the American football coach, see Benny Waters (American football).
Benny Waters
Born(1902-01-23)January 23, 1902
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedAugust 11, 1998(1998-08-11) (aged 96)
Columbia, Maryland
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsSaxophone

He began on organ, then switched to clarinet and later added saxophone. The first band he joined in 1918 was Charly Miller's band. In 1922 he attended the New England Conservatory of Music where he gave lessons to Harry Carney.

From 1926 till 1931 he was a member of Charlie Johnson's band. Later he worked with King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Claude Hopkins, and others. During these years he made several recordings with King Oliver and Clarence Williams. During 1941–1942 he played with the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra. After that he started his own band and played at the Red Mill in New York. After New York he lived for four years in California.

From 1952 to 1992 he lived in Paris. In 1996 he received the Legion of Honour by the French Ministry of Culture. He continued to perform regularly up to his 95th birthday.[2] Waters became blind in 1992 due to cataract.

Discography

As leader
  • Blue Waters (Supraphon, 1976)
  • Benny Waters & the Traditional Jazz Studio (I Giganti Del Jazz, 1976)
  • When You're Smiling (Hep, 1980)
  • On the Sunny Side of the Street (JSP, 1981)
  • Hurry on Down (Storyville, 1981)
  • Mature Black Beauty (w/Christiania Jazzband) (Hot Club/Jon Larsen, 1983)
  • From Paradise (Small's) to Shangri La (Muse, 1987) also released as Hearing is Convincing
  • Memories of the Twenties (Stomp Off, 1988)
  • Benny Waters Freddy Randall Jazz Band (Jazzology, 1989)
  • Swinging Again (Jazz Point, 1993)
  • Plays Songs of Love (Jazz Point, 1993)
  • Jazz Live (Laserlight, 1997)
  • Birdland Birthday Live at 95 (Enja, 1997)
  • Great Traditionalists and Quartier Latin Jazz Band (Jazz Point, 1998)
  • Live at the Pawnshop (Opus 3, 1999)[3]

As sideman

References
  1. Allmusic
  2. Obituary
  3. "Benny Waters | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  4. "Benny Waters | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
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