Dicky Wells

William Wells, (June 10, 1907 or 1909 - November 12, 1985), known as Dicky Wells (sometimes Dickie Wells), was an African-American jazz trombonist.

Wells remains as one of the great classic representatives of jazz trombone, and one of that instrument’s most significant players of all time. Like all accomplished soloists, Wells had his own distinctive voice, characterized by a broad, wide, vibrato, a sound that was both firm and soft, combining dignity with a sense of humor. His phrasing was fluid and melodic, but also made use of rhythmic contrast and sudden jumps from one end of the scale to the other. Sometimes a mere two or three notes appropriately placed by Wells could propel the band to new heights.

Career

Dicky Wells was born in Centerville, Tennessee and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He moved to New York City in 1926, where he became a member of the Lloyd Scott band. In the following years, he played in various bands, including Spike Hughes, Benny Carter, and most importantly Fletcher Henderson. His stay with Henderson in the early 1930s shows him in full mastery of his talent. Replacing the more dramatic J.C. Higginbotham, Wells contributed to the band’s transition to a more fluid swing style. In the Henderson band, he became a major solo voice, interacting with other stars of the orchestra like Coleman Hawkins, Henry “Red” Allen, Buster Bailey and many others (The New King Porter Stomp). During that time, Wells also participated in recordings with other musicians, some also members of the Henderson band, including a set of 1933 recordings with Hawkins and Red Allen (I Wish I Cold Shimmy Like My Sister Kate).

In the late 30s, Wells toured Europe and notably made a series of excellent recording in Paris France, on which he was joined by Django Reinhardt on guitar and Bill Coleman on trumpet (Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Oh, Lady Be Good, Japanese Sandman among others).

Later in the 30s, Dicky Wells played with Teddy Hill’s band, after which he joined the emerging band of Count Basie, with whom he stayed between 1938-1945 and again in 1947-1950. With Basie, Wells achieved real fame, his style fully matured in a band where he was perfectly at ease (Dickie’s Dream, Taxi War Dance, Panassié Stomp, Harvard Blues, a duo with singer Jimmy Rushing). In the Basie band and elsewhere, Dicky Wells mixed an upbeat swing style with a strong sense for the blues.

Later in his life, Wells also played with Jimmy Rushing, Buck Clayton, and other Basie alumni, as well as Ray Charles and B.B. King, among many others. He toured Europe again with small formation, but was no longer in the limelight. He died on November 12, 1985 in New York Cityafter several years of declining health due to alcoholism.

Autobiography

The Night People: The Jazz Life of Dicky Wells by Dicky Wells, as told to Stanley Dance. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1991.

Discography

Dicky’s Blues, Topaz, 1991 (a collection of classic performances) M. Bones – 1931-1944, EPM Music, 2005 (another collection of classics).

External links

Credits

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