Prince
Wells lll is a descendant of one of Brooklyn's Founding Families who were
entrepreneurs and
landowners. He was born and reared in Brooklyn, Illinois. He graduated Lovejoy High School with honors and
participated in it's Marching Band.
Prince Wells has been professionally associated with the SIU-E since 1989 when he joined the Department of
Music as adjunct faculty. He was appointed full-time lecturer in 1994 and assistant professor in 1996. Presently
serving as Director of the Music Business Program, he also teaches freshman Music Theory and Jazz History.
His repertoire of courses taught also includes Foundations of Music, Introduction to Music History/Literature and
Black Music in America. Wells helped develop and team-teaches 'Music: Art and Science', an interdisciplinary
course which examines music as both an art and a science and investigates the impact that science has had on
the art of music.
Wells received his baccalaureate degree in Music Education from SIU-E and completed his master's degree in
Afro-American Music and Trumpet at The New England Conservatory of Music. He also studied the trumpet with
noted trumpet instructor Carmine Caruso, Gary Smith of the St. Louis Symphony, and jazz master Clark Terry.
Under the tutelage of world-renowned composer/theorist George Russell, Wells obtained certification in the
Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization and currently holds the distinction of being one of five
individuals in the United States with the certification. He has conducted numerous workshops and
lectures/demonstrations on the Lydian Chromatic concept as well as other related music topics. His teaching
experience also includes trumpet teacher, band director and music education on the secondary level.
Wells is recognized as a leader in his community as he is founder and President of the Black Music Society of
Missouri. He has been affiliated with a number of other arts and professional organizations including the
Mid-America Arts Alliance, Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council, the Missouri Performing Traditions
Advisory Council, and is a member of the Board of Directors for Musicians' Local 2-197. Among his numerous
achievements are recipient of the Mid America Arts Alliance Jazz Artist Marketing Fellowship; a National
Endowment for the Arts grant and the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Artist/Entertainer of the Year Award. He has
been featured in a local photo exhibit entitled "Lift Every Voice and Sing: The St. Louis African-American
Heritage Project" as one of the 100 most influential St. Louis African-Americans of the twentieth century, and
was selected for the St. Louis Public Schools Role Model Program.
Wells is rated as one of the best among local trumpet players and is often sought for performance. His
performance credits include Director, Jazz Edge Big Band; Musical Director, Black Music Society's Jazz
Repertory Ensemble; Manager and Trumpeter, Brass Alive! (Brass Quintet); Director, Grand Center Jazz
Ensemble; Director, The Jazz Band-St. Louis Community College at Forest Park; Director, Black Music Society's
Jazz Lab Band; Member, Gateway Festival Orchestra; featured trumpet soloist, First Annual St. Louis Arts
Awards and trumpet player with the Albert King Band and the George Hudson Jazz Orchestra. In February
2000 he released his first CD titled Tales from the Void. On July 1st 2005 he became Chair of the SIU-E
Department of Music.
landowners. He was born and reared in Brooklyn, Illinois. He graduated Lovejoy High School with honors and
participated in it's Marching Band.
Prince Wells has been professionally associated with the SIU-E since 1989 when he joined the Department of
Music as adjunct faculty. He was appointed full-time lecturer in 1994 and assistant professor in 1996. Presently
serving as Director of the Music Business Program, he also teaches freshman Music Theory and Jazz History.
His repertoire of courses taught also includes Foundations of Music, Introduction to Music History/Literature and
Black Music in America. Wells helped develop and team-teaches 'Music: Art and Science', an interdisciplinary
course which examines music as both an art and a science and investigates the impact that science has had on
the art of music.
Wells received his baccalaureate degree in Music Education from SIU-E and completed his master's degree in
Afro-American Music and Trumpet at The New England Conservatory of Music. He also studied the trumpet with
noted trumpet instructor Carmine Caruso, Gary Smith of the St. Louis Symphony, and jazz master Clark Terry.
Under the tutelage of world-renowned composer/theorist George Russell, Wells obtained certification in the
Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization and currently holds the distinction of being one of five
individuals in the United States with the certification. He has conducted numerous workshops and
lectures/demonstrations on the Lydian Chromatic concept as well as other related music topics. His teaching
experience also includes trumpet teacher, band director and music education on the secondary level.
Wells is recognized as a leader in his community as he is founder and President of the Black Music Society of
Missouri. He has been affiliated with a number of other arts and professional organizations including the
Mid-America Arts Alliance, Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council, the Missouri Performing Traditions
Advisory Council, and is a member of the Board of Directors for Musicians' Local 2-197. Among his numerous
achievements are recipient of the Mid America Arts Alliance Jazz Artist Marketing Fellowship; a National
Endowment for the Arts grant and the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Artist/Entertainer of the Year Award. He has
been featured in a local photo exhibit entitled "Lift Every Voice and Sing: The St. Louis African-American
Heritage Project" as one of the 100 most influential St. Louis African-Americans of the twentieth century, and
was selected for the St. Louis Public Schools Role Model Program.
Wells is rated as one of the best among local trumpet players and is often sought for performance. His
performance credits include Director, Jazz Edge Big Band; Musical Director, Black Music Society's Jazz
Repertory Ensemble; Manager and Trumpeter, Brass Alive! (Brass Quintet); Director, Grand Center Jazz
Ensemble; Director, The Jazz Band-St. Louis Community College at Forest Park; Director, Black Music Society's
Jazz Lab Band; Member, Gateway Festival Orchestra; featured trumpet soloist, First Annual St. Louis Arts
Awards and trumpet player with the Albert King Band and the George Hudson Jazz Orchestra. In February
2000 he released his first CD titled Tales from the Void. On July 1st 2005 he became Chair of the SIU-E
Department of Music.
| Prince Wells III 05/27/1953 - present |
