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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 101-125 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 101-125 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wells, Henry," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728.

Wells, Henry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109728.

"Wells, Henry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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