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
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | BVE-62599 | 10-in. | 6/6/1930 | In dat mornin' | Moses Allen ; Chickasaw Syncopators ; Jimmie Lunceford | Jazz/dance band, with talk | instrumentalist, trombone | |
| Victor | BVE-62600 | 10-in. | 6/6/1930 | Sweet rhythm | Chickasaw Syncopators ; Jimmie Lunceford | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trombone | |
| Victor | BS-82220 | 10-in. | 3/20/1934 | Here goes | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra ; Henry Wells | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | vocalist | |
| Victor | BS-82221 | 10-in. | 3/20/1934 | Remember when | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra ; Henry Wells | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | vocalist | |
| Victor | BS-023420 | 10-in. | 5/23/1938 | Little Joe from Chicago | Wingy Manone Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | lyricist | |
| Decca | 38531 | 10-in. | 9/4/1934 | Sophisticated lady-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38532 | 10-in. | 9/4/1934 | Mood indigo | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38533 | 10-in. | 9/4/1934 | Rose room-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38534 | 10-in. | 9/4/1934 | Black and tan fantasy-1 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38535 | 10-in. | 9/4/1934 | Stratosphere-3 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38541 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | Nana-1 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38542 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | Miss Otis regrets-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38543 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | Unsophisticated Sue-3 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38544 | 10-in. | 9/5/1934 | Star dust-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38915 | 10-in. | 10/29/1934 | Dream of you-1 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 38916 | 10-in. | 10/29/1934 | Shake your head (from side to side) | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38917 | 10-in. | 10/29/1934 | Stomp it off-1 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38918 | 10-in. | 10/29/1934 | Call it anything (It wasn't love)-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38967 | 10-in. | 11/7/1934 | Because you're you-1 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38968 | 10-in. | 11/7/1934 | Chillun, get up!-1 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 38969 | 10-in. | 11/7/1934 | Solitude | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 39169 | 10-in. | 12/17/1934 | Rain-1, 3 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 39170 | 10-in. | 12/17/1934 | Since my best gal turned me down-1, 3 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 39171 | 10-in. | 12/17/1934 | Jealous-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 39172 | 10-in. | 12/18/1934 | Rhythm is our business-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 39173 | 10-in. | 12/18/1934 | I'm walking through heaven with you-2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 60852 | 10-in. | 3/2/1936 | Walkin' and swingin'-1 | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60853 | 10-in. | 3/2/1936 | Moten swing | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60854 | 10-in. | 3/2/1936 | Lotta sax appeal | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60861 | 10-in. | 3/3/1936 | Git | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60862 | 10-in. | 3/3/1936 | All the jive is gone | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60865 | 10-in. | 3/4/1936 | Froggy bottom | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60866 | 10-in. | 3/4/1936 | Bearcat shuffle | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60867 | 10-in. | 3/4/1936 | Steppin' pretty | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60874 | 10-in. | 3/7/1936 | Christopher Columbus | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60876 | 10-in. | 3/7/1936 | Corky-1 | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60886 | 10-in. | 3/11/1936 | I'se a-muggin' | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60887 | 10-in. | 3/11/1936 | Until the real thing comes along | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60961 | 10-in. | 3/31/1936 | Puddin' head serenade | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60972 | 10-in. | 4/2/1936 | Until the real thing comes along | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60973 | 10-in. | 4/3/1936 | Blue illusion | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 60974 | 10-in. | 4/3/1936 | Cloudy | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61003 | 10-in. | 4/7/1936 | Give her a pint (and she'll tell it all) | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61463 | 10-in. | 12/9/1936 | Fifty-Second Street | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61464 | 10-in. | 12/9/1936 | The lady who swings the band | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61465 | 10-in. | 12/9/1936 | What will I tell my heart? | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61466 | 10-in. | 12/9/1936 | Dedicated to you | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61598 | 10-in. | 2/15/1937 | Wednesday night hop | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61599 | 10-in. | 2/15/1937 | Skies are blue | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 61950 | 10-in. | 2/15/1937 | Downstream | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| 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 | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| 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 | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| 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 | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| 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 | ||
| Decca | 64615 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | Mess-a stomp-1 | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| 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 | ||
| Decca | 65250 | 10-in. | 3/23/1939 | S'posin' | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 65251 | 10-in. | 3/23/1939 | I'll never fail you | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 65252 | 10-in. | 3/23/1939 | Why don't I get wise to myself | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 66877 | 10-in. | 11/15/1939 | I'm getting nowhere with you | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 66878 | 10-in. | 11/15/1939 | I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 66879 | 10-in. | 11/15/1939 | Please don't talk about me when I'm gone | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 66880 | 10-in. | 11/15/1939 | Big Jim blues-1 | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 67245 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Back in your own back yard | Henry Wells Orchestra | vocalist, leader | ||
| Decca | 67246 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Home | Henry Wells Orchestra | vocalist, leader | ||
| Decca | 67247 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Among my souvenirs | Henry Wells Orchestra | vocalist, leader | ||
| Decca | 67248 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | A garden in the rain | Henry Wells Orchestra | vocalist, leader | ||
| Decca | 68317 | 10-in. | 11/7/1940 | The Count | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 68318 | 10-in. | 11/7/1940 | Twelfth Street rag | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 68319 | 10-in. | 11/7/1940 | When I saw you | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68363 | 10-in. | 11/18/1940 | If I feel this way tomorrow | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68364 | 10-in. | 11/18/1940 | Or have I ? | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68546 | 10-in. | 1/3/1941 | Cuban boogie woogie | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 68547 | 10-in. | 1/3/1941 | A dream dropped in | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68548 | 10-in. | 1/3/1941 | Is it a sin (lovin' you) ? | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 68549 | 10-in. | 1/3/1941 | Ring dem bells | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 69519 | 10-in. | 7/17/1941 | Big time grip-1 | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 69520 | 10-in. | 7/17/1941 | 47th Street jive | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone | ||
| Decca | 69521 | 10-in. | 7/17/1941 | I'm misunderstood | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 69522 | 10-in. | 7/17/1941 | No answer | Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy | instrumentalist, trombone, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 73264 | 1/3/1946 | He's my baby | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73265 | 1/3/1946 | Alabama bound | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73266 | 1/3/1946 | Soothe me | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73267 | 1/3/1946 | Doggin' man blues | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73590 | 5/23/1946 | I don't know what I'd do without you | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73591 | 5/23/1946 | I'm so lonesome I could cry | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73751 | 12/2/1946 | Now you tell me | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73752 | 12/2/1946 | Louella | Andy Kirk Orchestra | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73753 | 12/2/1946 | So soon | The Four Knights | instrumentalist, trombone | |||
| Decca | 73754 | 12/2/1946 | I'm falling for you | The Four Knights | instrumentalist, trombone |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wells, Henry," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728.
Wells, Henry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728.
"Wells, Henry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Wells, Henry, 1906- - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no93027239
Wikidata: Henry Wells - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1607395
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/38948380
MusicBrainz: Henry Wells - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/4f4c366b-3cf4-4efd-9ac9-de208ae75cbc
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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