Dicky Wells

Who was Dicky Wells?

William Wells, more famous under the name of Dicky Wells, was an American jazz trombonist.

Dickie Wells was born in Centerville, Tennessee. He moved to New York City in 1926, and became a member of the Lloyd Scott band.

He played with Count Basie between 1938–1945 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.

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