Wells, William "Dicky"

Born in Centerville, TN, Wells grew up in Louisville, KY. He was a trombonist who played in a speech-like style and who invented his pepperpot mute. Throughout his career he played with Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Ray Charles, and a number of others. Wells co-authored The Night People with S. Dance. For more see Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music, ed. by D. Clark; and American National Biography, ed. J. A. Garraty and M. C. Carnes. View Born to Swing - pt.5 - Dicky Wells on YouTube.