Ben Waters, the British piano king of boogie woogie, is returning to Australia in March, bringing his own unique brand of barnstorming rock and blues, accompanied by his amazing band, including fellow UK virtuosos Ian Jennings on bass and Clive Ashley on saxophone, with special guests joining the line-up at each location.
Accompanying him at Port Fairy Folk Festival and Bird’s Basement in Melbourne will be local legends Ashley Davies on drums (also at Earl Ridge Golf Course) and Sweet Felicia on bass and vocals, while drummer Chris Nable will perform at Foundry 616, Qirkz and Girrakool Festival, with Adelaide and Hobart guests to be announced.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with British piano king of boogie woogie, Ben Waters over a zoom call to chat about his career, gear and the upcoming Australian tour
More About Ben Waters
Touted by Jools Holland as being one of his all-time favourite pianists, Waters is renowned for rocking so hard, he turns every venue he plays at into a Kansas City barrel house. With his inimitable style, he performs an eclectic mix from his heroes Fats Domino, Huey “Piano” Smith, Albert Ammons, Ian Stewart, Jerry Lee Lewis, Amos Milburn and Chuck Berry as well as his own foot stomping material, and he is promising Australian audiences all of this.
Waters says, “It’s been almost four years since I’ve rocked into Australia, and I can’t wait to get you all up on your feet, boogie-ing your butts off to all my favourite tunes, including … if I say so myself … my own originals.”
Having performed many times with the very recently departed legend, Jeff Beck, he has and continues to play alongside superstars such as The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Davies, Jeff Beck, Jools Holland, PJ Harvey, Shakin’ Stevens and many more.
For some years, Waters along with the late, great Charlie Watts, Axel Swingenberger and Dave Green performed live and recorded as the “A,B,C & D of Boogie Woogie”. In 2019, he came together with Ronnie Wood to form “Ronnie Wood & the Mad Lads”, performing the hits of their idol, Chuck Berry. They performed three major shows before the pandemic forced them to abandon the concept. However, they are now looking to reprise in 2023.
Another project Waters is in the process of re-launching is an update of his Boogie4Stu album, his tribute to The Rolling Stones founding member and road manager, Ian Stewart. Originally released in 2011, the new cut features additional tracks, with contributions so far from none other than longtime friend Keith Richards and others to be announced.
As a headliner, he has sold out thousands of shows around the world, from Ronnie Scott’s to the Sydney Opera House to The Royal Albert Hall and every kind of venue imaginable.
If you’re looking to get on your feet and boogie your socks off, Ben Waters is not to be missed.
GIG LISTINGS:
Thursday, March 2 – Sydney
Foundry 616 (18+)
616 Harris St. Ultimo, Sydney
P: 02 9211 9442
Doors: 5.00pm
Show: 6.00PM
Tickets: $42
Bookings: https://foundry616.com.au/ticket/02-march-thursday-ben-waters-uk/
Friday, March 3 – Hunter Valley
Qirkz in the Hunter (All ages)
141 Cessnock Rd, Abermain NSW 2326
P: (02) 4052 9410
Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 8.00pm
Tickets: #39 (Show only – Adult 16+); $89 (Dinner & Show – Adult 16+); $16.50 (Dinner & Show – Under 16); Free entry for Under 16 – show only
Bookings: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/wnwgy/international_boogiewoogie_sensation_ben_waters_uk.aspx
Saturday, March 4 & Sunday, March 5 – Central Coast
Girakool Blues
https://girrakoolblues.com.au/
Tuesday March 7 – Adelaide
The Gov (18+)
P: (08) 8340 0744
59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh SA 5007
Doors: 7.00pm
Show: 7.30pm
Tickets: 57.15
Bookings: https://thegov.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/e429095a-703b-4402-bb0c-fbb262896478
Thursday, March 9 – Melbourne
Birds Basement (18+)
11 Singers Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Doors: 6.00pm
Show: 7.30pm
Tickets: $45 – $60
Bookings: https://birdsbasement.com/show/1101/ben-waters-uk
Saturday, March 11 & Sunday, March 12 – Port Fairy
Port Fairy Folk Festival
https://portfairyfolkfestival.com/
Friday, March 17 – Mornington Peninsula
Eagle Ridge Golf Course (18+)
215 Browns Rd Boneo, VIC 3939
Doors: 5.30
Show: 7.00pm
Tickets: $50.00
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CFRMZ
Saturday, March 18 – Northern Tasmania
Forth Valley Blues Fest
https://www.forthvalleybluesfest.com/
Sunday, March 19 – Hobart
The Altar (18+)
112 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000
Doors: 6.30pm
Show: 7.00pm
Tickets: $45.00
Bookings: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/642fba19-4e62-4bc7-a645-6e41dcf48b52?utm_source=Altar&utm_medium=Website