Benny Waters

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

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 until 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, and later in the 1940s with Roy Milton. 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, France. In 1996, he received the Legion of Honour from the French Ministry of Culture. He continued to perform regularly up to his 95th birthday. Waters became blind in 1992 due to cataracts.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 23, 1902 (Baltimore), Died August 17, 1998 (Columbia)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: saxophone, clarinet, alto saxophone, composer, tenor saxophone, arranger

Notes: Full name: Benjamin Waters.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-47530 10-in. 9/19/1928 Gettin' away from me Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet, composer  
Victor BVE-47531 10-in. 9/19/1928 The boy in the boat Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-47532 10-in. 9/19/1928 Walk that thing Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-51298 10-in. 5/8/1929 Harlem drag Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet, composer  
Victor BVE-51299 10-in. 5/8/1929 Hot bones and rice Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-53600 10-in. 5/8/1929 Mo'lasses Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet, arranger  
Victor BS-022923 10-in. 4/27/1938 Jumpin' Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022924 10-in. 4/27/1938 Feelin' high and happy Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022925 10-in. 4/27/1938 At your beck and call Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022926 10-in. 4/27/1938 Rock it for me Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022927 10-in. 4/27/1938 Skull duggery Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022928 10-in. 4/27/1938 I let a song go out of my heart Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-023733 10-in. 6/24/1938 (A sky of blue, with you) And so forth Hot Lips Page Orchestra ; Delores Payne Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-023734 10-in. 6/24/1938 The pied piper Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-023735 10-in. 6/24/1938 If I were you Hot Lips Page Orchestra ; Delores Payne Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-023736 10-in. 6/24/1938 I'm gonna lock my heart (And throw away the key) Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-023737 10-in. 6/24/1938 Will you remember tonight tomorrow? Ben Bowers ; Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-032735 10-in. 6/24/1938 Small fry Hot Lips Page Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Waters, Benny," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105384.

Waters, Benny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105384.

"Waters, Benny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105384

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