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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 76-100 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 64615 10-in. 9/9/1938 Mess-a stomp-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy vocalist, instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64642 10-in. 9/2/1938 Toadie toddle Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64643 10-in. 9/2/1938 won't tell a soul (I love you) Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64644 10-in. 9/2/1938 What would people say? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64645 10-in. 9/2/1938 How much do you mean to me? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64694 10-in. 10/24/1938 Jump Jack jump Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64695 10-in. 10/24/1938 Breeze Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64696 10-in. 10/24/1938 Ghost of love Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64697 10-in. 10/24/1938 What a life Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64698 10-in. 10/25/1938 Sittin' around and dreamin' Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64699 10-in. 10/25/1938 What's your story, morning glory? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64777 10-in. 12/5/1938 Honey Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64778 10-in. 12/5/1938 September in the rain Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64779 10-in. 12/5/1938 Clouds Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64780 10-in. 12/5/1938 Julius Caesar Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64781 10-in. 12/5/1938 Dunkin' a doughnut-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64782 10-in. 12/6/1938 Goodbye Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64783 10-in. 12/6/1938 Mary's idea-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64784 10-in. 12/6/1938 But it didn't mean a thinq Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 64785 10-in. 12/6/1938 Say it again Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 65188 10-in. 3/16/1939 You set me on fire Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 65189 10-in. 3/16/1939 I'll never learn Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 65190 10-in. 3/16/1939 Close to five Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 65191 10-in. 3/16/1939 Floyd's guitar blues-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 65249 10-in. 3/23/1939 (I wanna go where you go) Then I'll be happy Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, trombone  
(Results 76-100 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

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