Image Source: Wikipedia

Henry Wells

Henry James Wells (born 1906, in Dallas) was an American jazz trombonist, vocalist, and bandleader. He was the brother of Dicky Wells.

Wells studied at Fisk University and the Cincinnati Conservatory, and worked professionally starting in the late 1920s. He joined Jimmie Lunceford's band in 1929 and remained with him until 1935; during this time, he also played with Cab Calloway and Claude Hopkins. From 1936 to 1941 he worked intermittently with Andy Kirk, and played with him again in 1946; he left Kirk's employ temporarily to put together his own band and to complete a stint in the U.S. Army. During his time with Kirk, he was often employed as a vocalist, including on recordings. He also played with Gene Krupa and Teddy Hill in the early 1940s. After World War II he worked with Rex Stewart and Sy Oliver; he was active as a performer on the West Coast into the 1960s.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1906 (Dallas), Died 20th century (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: trombone, vocalist, leader, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 61951 10-in. 2/15/1937 In the groove Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62133 10-in. 4/17/1937 Worried over you Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62134 10-in. 4/17/1937 Foolin' myself Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62135 10-in. 4/17/1937 I'm glad for your sake Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62136 10-in. 4/17/1937 I'll get along somehow Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62446 10-in. 7/26/1937 A mellow bit of rhythm Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62447 10-in. 7/26/1937 In my wildest dreams Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62448 10-in. 7/26/1937 Better luck next time Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62449 10-in. 7/26/1937 Satan takes a holiday Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62453 10-in. 7/27/1937 What's mine is yours Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62454 10-in. 7/27/1937 Why can't we do it again? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy vocalist, instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62455 10-in. 7/27/1937 The key to my heart Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62456 10-in. 7/27/1937 I want to be a gypsy Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62872 10-in. 12/13/1937 Lover come back to me Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62873 10-in. 12/13/1937 Poor butterfly Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62874 10-in. 12/13/1937 The big dipper Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 62875 10-in. 12/13/1937 Bear down Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 63255 10-in. 2/8/1938 I surrender dear Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 63256 10-in. 2/8/1938 Twinklin' Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 63257 10-in. 2/8/1938 It must be true Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 63258 10-in. 2/8/1938 I'll get by Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy vocalist, instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 63259 10-in. 2/8/1938 Little Joe from Chicago-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64612 10-in. 9/9/1938 The gal that wrecked my life Rodney Sturgis vocalist, instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64613 10-in. 9/9/1938 Bless you, my dear Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64614 10-in. 9/9/1938 How can we be wrong? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
(Results 51-75 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wells, Henry," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728.

Wells, Henry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728.

"Wells, Henry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.