Dicky Wells

Dicky Wells
Dicky Wells Photo:William P. Gottlieb.
Background information
Birth name	William Wells
Also known as	Dickie Wells
Born	c. (1907-06-10)June 10, 1907
Died	November 12, 1985(1985-11-12) (aged 78)
Genres	Jazz
Occupation	Trombonist
Instrument	Trombone

William Wells (c. June 10, 1907 - November 12, 1985), more famous under the name of Dicky Wells (sometimes Dickie Wells), was an American jazz trombonist.

Career

Dickie Wells is believed to have been born on June 10, 1907 in Centerville, Tennessee. His brother was trombonist Henry Wells. He moved to New York City in 1926, and became a member of the Lloyd Scott band.

He played with Count Basie between 1938–45 and 1947-1950. He also played with Cecil Scott, Spike Hughes, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, Jimmy Rushing, Buck Clayton and Ray Charles.

In his later years, Wells suffered a severe beating that affected his memory, but he recovered and continued to perform. He played frequently at the West End jazz club at 116th and Broadway, most often with a band called The Countsmen, led by alto saxophonist Earle Warren, his colleague from Count Basie days. A trademark was Wells's "pepper pot" mute which he made himself.

Death

He died on November 12, 1985, in New York City. Shortly after his death, Wells's family donated his trombone to Rutgers University.

Discography

• Dicky Wells and His Orchestra in Paris (1937)
• Bones for the King (Felsted, 1958)
• Chatter Jazz (RCA Victor, 1959) with Rex Stewart
• Trombone Four-in-Hand (Felsted, 1959)
• Lonesome Road (Uptown, 1981)

With Count Basie

• The Original American Decca Recordings (GRP, 1937-39 [1992])

With Buck Clayton

• Songs for Swingers (Columbia, 1958)
• Copenhagen Concert (SteepleChase, 1959 [1979])
• Goin' to Kansas City (Riverside, 1960) with Tommy Gwaltney's Kansas City 9
• One for Buck (Columbia, 1961)

With Dizzy Gillespie

• The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (Bluebird, 1937-1949, [1995])

With Buddy Tate

• Swinging Like Tate (Felsted, 1958)

External links

• 1974 interview
• Entry on answers.com (copy of Allmusic entry)

Wells had two stints with Basie - 1937-42 and again after the war. His playing during the first was brilliant and established him as a major trombonist and influence on other trombonists. After he rejoined Basie his playing was insipid and uninspired, probably due to alcohol abuse. This same change in his playing is also evident in later recordings as a studio musician for Jimmy Rushing in the late 'fifties.