About Benny Waters
Lived 1902 – 1998 (aged 96). Benny Waters was an American clarinetist, jazz musician, saxophonist and musician.
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. Waters became blind in 1992 due to cataracts.
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)
As sideman 1978 Roy Milton & His Solid Senders, Roy Milton 1980 Harlem Shout, Jimmie Lunceford 1991 1926–1928, King Oliver 1991 1928–1930, King Oliver 1991 1938–1940, Hot Lips Page 1992 Groovy Blues, Vol. 2, Roy Milton 1993 1937–1940, Claude Hopkins 1993 The Collection, Vol. 1: 1927–1928, Clarence Williams 1994 Blowin' with Roy, Roy Milton 1995 Live at the Riverside, Adelaide Hall 1996 Story 1928–1944, Sidney De Paris 1996 The Complete Sessions, Charlie Johnson
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Important facts
People in Benny Waters's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Benny Waters's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Benny Waters?
American musician (1902–1998)
When was Benny Waters born?
Benny Waters was born on 23 January 1902 in Baltimore.
When did Benny Waters die?
Benny Waters died on 13 August 1998 in Columbia.
What was Benny Waters's occupation?
Benny Waters was a clarinetist, jazz musician, saxophonist and musician.
What nationality was Benny Waters?
Benny Waters was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Benny Waters. https://biography.guide/benny-waters/
MLA: "Benny Waters." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/benny-waters/.
Chicago: "Benny Waters." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/benny-waters/.
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