Media release: UK Boogie Woogie King Ben Waters to play two Sydney shows in one night
Announcement posted by Jameson & Co 14 Oct 2024
Renowned British piano king of Boogie Woogie, Ben Waters is returning to Sydney, playing his only Australian shows in the Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House on Sunday, December 29 at 6pm and 9pm.
"Key shattering Boogie Woogie," is how The Guardian newspaper described Waters' playing, after a concert at London's iconic Ronnie Scott's.
Renowned for his energetic, entertaining performances, Ben's virtuosity shines through when showcasing the early blues, boogie and rock 'n roll of his musical heroes Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Amos Milburn, Little Richard, Ian Stewart, Dr. John and their like. This is the music that brings him joy! It's why he dropped out of school to tour with Shakin' Stevens and devote 35 years to touring the world, purely out of his love of music.
Blessed with talent, but eschewing fame has led to Waters working extensively with some of the biggest names in the music world. He has a relationship with the Rolling Stones reaching back to his acclaimed album, Boogie 4Stu - a collaboration with the celebrated band formed with the late Charlie Watts, the A,B,C & D of Boogie Woogie. After this, he instigated the outfit, Ronnie Wood & the Mad Lads - a venture to celebrate the late Chuck Berry, with whom a young Ben had had the pleasure of working.
Most recently he was involved in the making of the Stones' Hackney Diamonds album.
Others to appear on the Waters CV include Jools Holland, Cher, Jeff Beck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Imelda May, Mick Hucknall, Johnny Depp and many more.
Accolades from a brilliant career include:
- "One of the best pianists in the UK" - The London Times
- "I have been a boogie fan since the '50s and seen pianists all over the world. None come close to Waters" - Blueprint Magazine
- "Ben's solos are full of flare and bravado" - the Birmingham Post
- "Probably the best pianist I've played with." - Pete Thomas - sax player with Fats Domino and Elton John.
- 'Like a Bouncy Castle For Grown Ups" - London Times headline for a Ben Waters show review
Ben loves the intimacy of the Utzon Room allowing him, as it does, to engage the audience with entertaining anecdotes of his life "on the road" and showcase up close the playing that prompted Jools Holland to nominate him as one of his ten favourite piano players of all time.
Ben waters is available for interviews. Please contact:
Erin Jameson | erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com | +61 419 323 663
LISTINGS INFO:
Sunday, December 29
Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay - All Ages
6pm & 9pm
Tickets: $58.50
Bookings