Together, Ben and Tom Waters have topped the blues charts worldwide with their acclaimed album Boogie For Stu, a tribute to Ian Stewart—the sixth Rolling Stone. The album features the full Rolling Stones lineup, alongside legends like PJ Harvey and Jools Holland, with the iconic cover painted by none other than Sir Peter Blake—the artist behind The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was a true honour to have such an iconic piece of art grace such a personal and meaningful project.
The duo have just returned from an awe-inspiring tour of Peru, where they played at what is believed to be the highest jazz club in the world—at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level—a breathtaking experience in every sense. Soon after, they headed to Los Angeles to record with the one and only George Thorogood and The Destroyers, continuing their extraordinary run of global musical adventures.
Between them, Ben and Tom have shared stages, studios, and stories with some of the biggest names in music, including The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Dave Stewart, Leo Sayer, Shakin’ Stevens, Johnny Depp, Mick Hucknall, Mick Taylor, Sir Ray Davies, Amy Macdonald, Andrea Corr, Nine Below Zero, Mungo Jerry, Bobby Womack, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, Paul Weller, and many more. Their combined experience makes every show not just a performance, but a musical journey through rock ’n’ roll history.
Ben Waters is renowned as one of the UK’s finest boogie-woogie pianists, having played with everyone from Chuck Berry to Jerry Lee Lewis. He was a founding member of The A, B, C and D of Boogie Woogie, a band that toured globally with Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. It was during these tours that Charlie took young Tom under his wing, often inviting him to sit in for a tune or two.
Tom’s musical journey has been anything but ordinary. At just 13 years old, he left school to tour the world with his dad, performing 900 shows across 52 countries. At 16, he won a place at the Purcell School, the UK’s oldest specialist music school, and later graduated with honours from the Royal Academy of Music—alma mater to the likes of Elton John and Jacob Collier. Now a dynamic solo artist in his own right, Tom is making waves with his soulful saxophone, inventive compositions, and infectious stage presence.
But Tom’s path was shaped not only by family and talent, but also by the generosity of musical greats. When the Rolling Stones played Hyde Park in 2013, Charlie Watts arranged a surprise: a private saxophone lesson for Tom with Bobby Keys and Tim Ries, followed by the gift of a saxophone. Tom walked out of that show ten feet tall—and that moment became a turning point in his life. The Waters family will always be deeply grateful to Charlie, Bobby, and Tim for their inspiration and kindness.
The Marine Theatre holds a special place in their hearts. Charlie Watts once told Ben that performing there—and staying at the Alexandra Hotel, where he enjoyed tea, toast, and marmalade with his best friend Dave Green—was one of his favourite times ever. That memory makes this return performance even more meaningful.