Rudy Wells - March 08, 2022 - Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Artiste of the Day Jeremy Bain shares the story of Pan Pioneer, Rudy Wells. Here’s Jeremy: Rudy Wells was a well-known steelband arranger and classical music writer from Trinidad and Tobago. He is best remembered as a writer of test pieces for steelband music festivals. Wells was one of the great, unsung heroes of pan. He didn't have a huge performance career but was an incredible player. When he went to Berklee (School of Music) ...and in those days, you couldn't go to Berklee and play pan, so, Rudy went to Berklee and studied the vibraphone. That's even more amazing, that he went to college as an adult and picked up an instrument that he'd never played before and worked hard at it, to the point where he was able to graduate from the program on that instrument. Rudy graduated Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music with a degree in Professional Music and a Bachelor of Music with honors.
In 1970, Rudy was one of the co-founders and music directors at the St. John School of Arts in Saint John (USVI). There, he started a steelband program on called ‘Steel Unlimited’ as part of the Saint John School of the Arts. In later years, a second band, ‘’Steel Unlimited II’ was added to the program. Despite being comprised totally of youth players, the band travelled the US for two weeks playing at Disney World in Florida and additional engagements in New York. The following year, they did a month-long tour of Europe hitting places like Denmark and Germany. There were 25 performances in 30 days. The following year, they toured France and Switzerland.
In 1973, Wells arranged for the Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra and gave them their first Panorama win with Lord Kitchener's ‘Rainorama.’ Wells continued as the Panorama arranger for Trinidad All Stars for several more years while additionally contributing a number of arrangements for the stage side.
Always driven by a desire for more knowledge, Wells enrolled in the University of Miami and graduated with a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. Rudy dedicated 30+ years of service to teaching and musical education in St. Thomas and St. John. In the 90s, Wells returned to Trinidad and taught a master class in harmony and arranging at the All Stars pan yard. Rudy composed the classical piece entitled ‘Shades of Port of Spain’ released on the ‘Trinidad All Stars In Concert’ album and the ‘test piece’ for the 2000 World Steelband Music Festival, “Dawn of The Millennium.”
Denise Hernandez of the Trinidad All Stars notes, “Wells has done more for people like (pannist) Victor Provost and many others. He has done fantastic music and training of youths with pan." Rudolph F. Wells passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019, at Schneider Regional Medical Center at the age of 81. May you Rest in Peace my friend. We will all miss you.
© Jerry Bain is a freelance writer and long-time contributor to Facebook on Trinidad artistes and culture. Jerry was born and grew up in Diego Martin (Trinidad) went to school at Mt. St. Benedict and Fatima College. He presently resides in Canada. His favorite quote: “Life is not a dress rehearsal. You only have one chance at it, so enjoy it to the fullest !” © Anthony’s Cari-Jazz
Replies
I knew a Rudolph Wells (Shabo), who used to arrange for a band in Curepe (Sherzando) in the sixties. During that time, It think Belfast also played with Sherzando. And, as most of you would know, Belfast was a boss guitar man.
Trinidad All Stars - Rain'O'Rama
Steelband Panorama Champions 1973
Arranger: Rudy Wells