Viola Gertrude Wells
Viola Gertrude Wells (born December 14, 1904 in Newark , New Jersey , † December 22, 1984 in Belleville , New Jersey) was an American blues singer.
Viola Gertrude Wells, also known as Miss Rhapsody , began her career with an appearance at the Newark Minis Theater . In the 1920s she worked on touring shows; in the 1930s she was a member of the Banjo Bernie's band and eventually went on tour with Ida Cox . In the late 1930s she moved to Kansas City , where she ran a nightclub and ran her own band. She returned to Newark in the 1940s and performed in various New York City clubs, including Kelly's Stables on 52nd Street and the Harlem Apollo Theater (occasionally under the pseudonym Viola Underhill ). In 1944 he also made recordings for the Newark-based label Savoy ; in the songs "Blues in My Heart", "Bye Bye Baby", "My Lucky Day", "Hey Lawdy Mama" and "Groovin 'the Blues" she was accompanied by the band of pianist Reuben "June" Cole, in the and Frankie Newton , Slam Stewart , Billy Taylor and Cozy Cole played. In May 1945 there was another session with this rhythm section as well as Freddie Webster and Eddie Lockjaw Davis (“We're Sister under the Skin”). It fell into disuse in the 1950s and early 1960s before making a comeback in the mid-60s. In the 1970s she toured with Clyde Bernhardt . She is buried in Heavenly Rest Cemetery in East Hanover, New Jersey.
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Web links
- Viola Gertrude Wells at Allmusic (English)
- Portrait at nfo
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Wells, Viola Gertrude |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 14, 1904 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Newark , New Jersey , USA |
| DATE OF DEATH | 22nd December 1984 |
| Place of death | Belleville , New Jersey , USA |