Benjamin 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. 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. Waters became blind in 1992 due to cataract.