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An early jazz drummer of some renown, Wells is best known for his work with clarinetist Jimmy Noone in Chicago during the ‘20s and ‘30s. Like other black Chicago players of the time, Wells influenced members of the city's famed white jazz community. In his autobiography, Really the Blues, clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow relates how he and drummer Gene Krupa would sit for hours beating out the rhythms of Zutty Singleton and Johnny Wells "until my hands swole double." While working as a singer, dancer, and comedian at Chicago's Apex Club, Wells was hired to replace Ollie Powers as drummer/vocalist with Noone, whose band was then in residence at the club. Wells played with Bert Hall's Orchestra in 1927, then returned to Noone's band, performing and recording with the clarinetist into the ‘30s. Wells later moved to New York and played with Joe Sullivan, among others. ~ Chris Kelsey, Rovi
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