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Reviews
Jennifer Gurton
BUZZMUSIC | The home for independent music -10.6.2025
Annie Wells Finds Light in Love on New Single “True Blue Boy”
Rochester-based singer-songwriter Annie Wells has always been known for weaving her life experiences into music that sits at the intersection of jazz, pop, folk, and the Great American Songbook. With her new single “True Blue Boy,” Wells offers a deeply personal piece that tells the story of a difficult yet ultimately rewarding courtship with the man who would become her husband.
Written as a birthday gift for her partner, Colin, “True Blue Boy” is framed around the journey to true love, one marked by obstacles, heartbreak, and resilience. Wells’ lyricism finds inspiration in blues and jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Muddy Waters, and the song reflects their timeless spirit while adding her own contemporary twist. The result is a track that feels both classic and refreshingly intimate.
Musically, Wells surrounds herself with seasoned jazz musicians whose résumés span from the Glenn Miller Orchestra to collaborations with Ray Charles and Archie Shepp. Mike Kaupa’s trumpet lines bring warmth and color, Dave Arenius’ upright bass grounds the song in tradition, and Phil Marshall’s guitar provides texture and rhythm. Together, they build a soundscape that feels as rich as the story it carries.
What sets “True Blue Boy” apart is its ability to balance melancholy with joy. The song acknowledges the heartaches and struggles of Wells’ relationship but pairs those reflections with an upbeat, rhythmic feel that mirrors the triumph of love that lasts. Wells’ ethereal voice, often compared to Joni Mitchell and Blossom Dearie, floats above the arrangement with clarity and grace, asking listeners to look deeper into the music rather than chasing instant gratification.
This single also sets the stage for Wells’ upcoming album Pictures of Heart, slated for release in 2026. If “True Blue Boy” is any indication, the record will continue her exploration of themes that define her work: resilience, hope, and the beauty found in both loss and love.
Annie Wells proves once again that her hybrid style, never fully jazz and never strictly pop, carves out a unique space where authenticity and artistry thrive. “True Blue Boy” is a love song, yes, but more than that, it’s a testament to patience, vulnerability, and the joy that comes from staying true to your vision.
Zillions Magazine About Us - October 09, 2025
Annie Wells delivers an ode to real love with timeless romance on "True Blue Boy" [Review]
Annie Wells comes back with "True Blue Boy," a song that sounds as though it could have been written in any era, and that's its charm. The Rochester-based singer-songwriter spins a personal story about the emotional process that led to her marriage, filling it with her characteristic blend of jazz, folk, and adult contemporary warmth.
The track's dreamy instrumentation hooks you in instantly, with Mike Kaupa's trumpet providing a golden-sorrow reminiscent of smoky jazz lounges and Dave Arenius' stand-up bass giving the song an honesty-soaked heartbeat. Phil Marshall's work on guitar ties it all together, understated while conveying a punch of emotional expression. Annie's vocals are luminous and relaxed, by turns graceful and vulnerable. Her delivery is welcoming, and you can feel the softness of devotion and a swallow's victory in long-lasting love. This is a mature sound one that's invested in storytelling and feeling.
This tune balances between ethereal and grounded as it suspends buoyancy in a downward pull that swings easily back to euphoria. It's dreamy and refreshingly original at once, evidence that there is still a place for timeless songwriting in our fast-paced digital world. And with her next single, Annie Wells continues down her path to a series of songs that showcase the full extent of her artistry. "True Blue Boy" is an ode to patience, faith, and the beauty of a real thing in a world that's hooked on temporary.
Hannah Means-Shannon -11.12.2025
Song + Video Premier: “Time Escaped” From Annie Wells Finds Determination In The Midst Of Grief – Wildfire Music + News
Rochester New York-based Jazz musician and singer/songwriter Annie Wells will be releasing a new album, Pictures of Heart, in early 2026. A live performer in venues large and small, Wells harks back to the Great American Songbook, Jazz, and singer/songwriter music, which she grew up listening to. As a result, she blends Jazz and Pop, as well as other genres that she loves, in her work.
With her “hybrid” style, Wells has shared the stage with artists as different as Jazz-Pop drummer Steve Gadd’s Gadd Gang and singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco. She often performs with Jazz musicians including Mike Kaupa, trumpeter, (Glenn Miller Orchestra, Joe Lock, Ray Charles) and Dave Arenius, who performs on the upright bass (Herb Ellis, Archie Shepp).
Today, we’re very pleased to premier Wells’ new single and video for “Time Escaped”, which arrives this Friday, November 14th, 2025, a track from Wells’ upcoming album, Pictures of Heart.
“Time Escaped” sets a wonderfully mellow and reflective mood in which quite intense emotions can come to light and find form, blending poignant images from the lyrics with emotive dialog between the instruments. We are introduced to a personified form of Time, a “she” who is to be criticized and the focus of complaint, since she is “cruel” and takes things away. We encounter an almost mythical image of a clock stopping and time escaping, as if the universe’s own clock has stopped and what we know as time has dashed away. Wells creates a fascinating drama through these images and they set the stage for the heart of the matter, which is the fallout for human beings of such disarray in the universe.
In this new track, we are introduced to the idea of a “you” the narrator is speaking to, those who she wishes to be with, but is separated from. The strangeness of the separation itself is expressed by the idea of being “through the looking glass”, like in Alice in Wonderland. The melancholy of this intense isolation gives way to a renewed determination that the narrator will be reunited with loved ones, that they will “make memories” again and right this essential wrong. Rather than remaining helpless, the song reasserts the meaningfulness of memories, of traditions, and of continuing to build relationships with those we care about.
Astonishingly, the intensity of all this subject matter is carried gracefully by the movements of the song, by the clear and determined vocals, by the mournful flugelhorn, and by the punctuating guitar. We should also give credit to Annie Wells’ lyric video, which is actually more than just a lyric video, since it has live footage of the songwriter working on music, looking at photographs, and considering the passage of time. Interspersed are sensitively posed scenes from nature, including seasonal changes, which, on the whole, add to the song by suggesting that time does move on and that we can hope for better times as a kind of natural process of change. While Time may have “escaped”, we get the sense that she will not permanently elude capture.
Wells says about her new track:
’Time Escaped’ is a love letter I wrote for my family during the pandemic. I finished writing the lyrics during a car trip from New York to North Carolina – the first visit with my parents and siblings after nearly 2 years of separation. As the miles passed beneath me, I imagined time as a sentient force, one that had held us apart. For so long, we could only glimpse each other “through the looking glass.”
On “Time Escaped”, Mike Kaupa plays the flugelhorn (Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dave Rivello, Joe Locke, Ray Charles), Dave Arenius plays the upright bass (Herb Ellis, Archie Shepp), Phil Marshall plays guitar (Colorblind James, La La Land) and Roy Marshall is on drums.
MJ Baretto
10.8.2025
Annie Wells Delights with "True Blue Boy" – Contemporary Jazz, Emotion and Elegance - Music for All
In “True Blue Boy,” Annie Wells transforms simplicity into refined art, crafting a song that sounds like both confidence and breath.
The track combines Singer-Songwriter, Adult Contemporary and Jazz in an arrangement that dialogues smoothly, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and affective maturity. Wells’ performance is restrained yet deeply expressive—each sentence carries the weight and lightness of someone who understands love without illusions. The guitar solo emerges as a luminous pause, punctuating the melody with elegance and balance. “True Blue Boy,” in the end, reaffirms Annie Wells as a sensitive composer, capable of transforming everyday life into sonic contemplation.
Zillions Magazine 11.16.2025
Annie Wells captures the pain of distance in tender new single "Time Escaped" [Review]
Annie Wells offers a love letter to family and the joy of reuniting on her new single, "Time Escaped," a gentle singer-songwriter track built on longing, memory, and the soft sting of separation. This one she wrote on a long-overdue journey from New York to North Carolina, her first time visiting her family after they had spent almost two years apart, and it carries all the emotional weight of lost and regained time.
"Time Escaped" imagines time as a being that separates loved ones and confines their connection to fleeting glances through the looking glass. Instead of carrying grief with weight, Wells turns emotion into something softer, thoughtful, forgiving, and hopeful. Her vocals float with a soft beauty, accompanied by tender piano lines that ground the track in luscious warmth. Added to that are the musicians on this recording, who take something already emotionally charged and make it even more so.
Between the two horn players, Mike Kaupa adds brightness and soul by way of flugelhorn, always wrapping his brass around a melody with glowing warmth. Dave Arenius's upright bass provides both depth and foundation, while Phil Marshall's guitar solo sounds like a hushed epiphany, strikingly held back and original. Roy Marshall's drums keep the rhythm earthy without being intrusive, which in turn allows the song to meander and amble at its leisurely, contemplative pace.
"Time Escaped" transforms personal grief into universal understanding. Each note reverberates with lost gatherings, delayed embraces, and familiar memories lived through screens rather than in shared spaces. The song pulses with gratitude for the reunion, for the journey, and for the reminder that love never dissipates, even as time passes us by. On "Time Escaped," Annie Wells delivers a track that seems intimate, soulful, and achingly human.
Roadie Music 11.22.2025 Vitor Franceschini
Annie Wells releases enchanting “Time Escaped” - Roadie Music
Annie Wells is a musician based in Rochester, New York. Her music draws from the Great American Songbook, jazz, and the genres of singer-songwriters she listened to since childhood. Perhaps this explains the beauty of her newest sound, this enchanting track called "Time Escaped".
The music excels in delivering a sensitive, refined, and breathtakingly beautiful jazz ballad. Piano, drums, and a striking trumpet pave the way for her sublime voice, maintaining an impressive balance. And, best of all, Annie gives it a timeless approach, which makes it even better.
Yellow and Black Music 11.27.2025
Annie Wells – Time Escaped - Yellow & Black
Annie Wells’ new single, “Time Escaped” is a gentle and beautiful journey through memory and longing. Her pure and captivating voice floats effortlessly over soft melodies and draws you in from the first note. The production is warm and polished, with piano, flugelhorn, and a unique guitar solo adding subtle layers that perfectly complement her vocals. The lyrics feel personal and heartfelt, reflecting on time lost and moments cherished. There’s a sweet nostalgia in every line, but it never feels heavy, instead, it’s comforting and uplifting. Her music is soft, charming and quietly powerful.
By the-further / March 13, 2026
Annie Wells Opens Up About Her New Musical Chapter: “The Devil’s Gonna Get You”
Singer-songwriter Annie Wells, based in Rochester, New York, has built a distinctive musical voice by weaving together the intimacy of folk storytelling with the improvisational spirit of jazz.
Her songs often feel like short stories set to music—personal, vivid, and sometimes laced with a sly sense of humor. With the release of her new single “The Devil’s Gonna Get You,” Wells continues a series of songs exploring love, life, and the strange contradictions of human behavior.
Inspired by a painful personal moment involving an ill family member and the unexpectedly hurtful advice of a close friend, the track turns emotional tension into something surprisingly playful and sardonic.
We spoke with Annie Wells about her latest release and her creative work. Listen to her music and scroll down to discover our conversation:
For readers discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce Annie Wells the artist—and what path led you to become a singer-songwriter?
Who the heck is Annie Wells?
I’m an introvert with an irrepressible desire to share my life with people through song. This allows me to express loud feelings softly. It’s been said, “She doesn’t speak, but she sings beautifully”. When I wrote my first song at age 17, there was no going back; my beloved music teacher got me my first gig at a cafe in Rochester, NY. Since then, I’ve led a double professional life, caring for others as a social worker and caring for myself as a writer and singer of songs that I hope give you, the listener, balm for the soul.
You’re based in Rochester, New York. How has living and creating there shaped your artistic identity and career?
Rochester is a diverse music town, rich with talent from all genres. The Eastman School of Music brings a wealth of jazz musicians, both students and faculty, to Rochester. I have been fortunate to connect with some of the most gifted players and songwriters here that help make my musical visions come true. There is a strong community of venues and listeners who love and support original music. With so many opportunities to perform locally, I’ve become a better songwriter and musician.
Your music blends folk storytelling with jazz influences in a very natural way. Where did those two musical languages first enter your life?
Music was prominent in my parents’ home. One day we would listen to Simon and Garfunkel or Gordon Lightfoot and the next, Frank Sinatra or Chuck Mangione’s “Hill Where the Lord Hides”. My father is a jazz fan; he especially loves Big Band and Dixieland. This mix led me to the Great American Songbook, Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Waits, etc. I love to add an unexpected jazz chord progression under a pop melody. The combination of both creates an emotional depth that I feel, and I want the listener to feel.
My family’s stories often inspire my songs such as the time my Great Aunt Mary gave me her old Rambler station wagon in Ohio, and I drove it back to New York and wrote “Mary”. When my 4-year-old niece, Emma chased fireflies on a summer night, the experience brought me back to my own childhood memories in the song, “Fireflies”. My last single released in November, “Time Escaped” was written about the grief of family separation during the pandemic.
Looking back at your journey so far, was there a particular moment when you realized songwriting wasn’t just a passion, but something central to who you are?
I remember a time when I was 19 years old, sitting by myself on a dock by a lake thinking, “music is my future.” It has been my great joy and refuge from life’s heartbreaks. Music saves me, always.
Your songs often feel very personal yet universally relatable. When you write, do you think of yourself more as a storyteller, a confessional writer, or an observer of human behavior?
I think it’s possible that all three are true, though even as an observer of humans, my feelings tend to get involved. Like the time a homeless woman camped behind a tree outside my apartment window, I wrote “Wide Circle”. With heartache, I wrote, “She is afraid of me, and I am afraid of her.” The stories drawn from my journals are inspired by art, news events, movies, and life experiences. Crafting fictional characters isn’t my strong suit, but now and then, someone in the story ends up being a patchwork of real-life personalities, as in the new single, “Devil’s Gonna Get You”.
Your new single “The Devil’s Gonna Get You” is inspired by a painful personal experience. At what point did you realize that this story needed to become a song?
When I was going through some old letters, I found one from a dearly loved friend who said my family member suffering from illness would be healed if she rejected the Devil. It brought up all the feelings of dismay from long ago. So, I spun this tale to make fun of the notion that misfortunes, illness and life’s difficulties are caused by bad behavior. The lyrics aim to convey the absurdity of this kind of magical thinking.
Did you know straight away that humor and irony was the right emotional lens?
At the start, I knew I would sing the refrain with a wink to the seriousness of the small-town boy’s assertion that the “Devil’s Gonna Get You”. The way the band’s arrangement came together underscores the humor in the satirical pious character that makes a hypocritical display of virtue.
The track also features longtime collaborator Phil Marshall and a strong ensemble. What makes this musical partnership work so well over the years?
He is my long-time mentor and friend. Phil is a music therapist. Often his songs draw on the experience of caring for others (https://philmarshall.bandcamp.com/). We are simpatico in that way. I’ve recorded several of his songs, some of which he wrote with me in mind. Phil comes from the same school of genre blending and storytelling in his own unique style of writing. I’ve learned so much from him. He gives me honest feedback that helps shape the lyrics and arrangements. His guitar contributions bring the songs up a level and are carefully crafted to support their feeling and meaning.
In an era where music is increasingly shaped by algorithms, machines, and even AI, do you ever feel that something essential—the soul or authenticity of music—is at risk of being lost? And how do you personally preserve that sense of honesty and spontaneity in your own creative process?
I am distraught to hear that singers’ voices and images are being stolen without consent for use in AI generated music. It is an understatement to say it is difficult to make a living as a musician. This thievery makes it even harder. Clearly, guardrails need to be put in place (lawmakers)! I have to believe those who love music at the center of their lives, rather than in the background, can tell the difference. Live performance is more important than ever. There is nothing like it: a human on stage emoting beautiful feelings that move through us. Ultimately, music must touch the heart to endure.
I have faith that old school songwriting will survive. When writing, I only use my piano and 2 gadgets: my iPhone voice memo and GarageBand to make demos. The song must be able to stand on its own without any fancy stuff to resonate. I “test” new songs with my band in live performance to see how they are received. When recording my soon to be released record, “Pictures of a Heart”, we used live, acoustic instruments along with electric guitar and bass played by actual musicians. The synergy of a band is magic.
Is there a message or feeling you hope people take away from your music? More broadly, what is the deeper impulse or driving force behind your songwriting and artistic expression?
Resilience and staying true to your vision are recurrent themes. I wrote “Little Sparrow,” about Edith Piaf and “The Faraway” about artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s fascination with the Southwest. What really struck me about Piaf was her devotion to singing — no matter what was going on, the most important thing was singing. Georgia O’Keeffe left her New York City home and her husband, Alfred Stieglitz for six months each year to live and paint in the Southwest.
In times of frustration when I felt no one was listening, I kept on creating. In my song, “Beautiful Voice”, I wrote, “It doesn’t matter if nobody hears you, I hear you with my heart”. Even if you write, paint, or sing only for yourself, you give and receive the gift of the most treasured human expression.
Whispering Shadows and Burning Truths - The Cave - March 20, 2026
Annie Wells – Devil's going to Get You
"Devil's Gonna Get You" is a song that slowly seduces and remains, like an elegant echo that refuses to disappear. Annie's voice is the
gravitational center: light, almost ghostly, but full of intention. There is an implicit narrative that does not need excessive drama,
because its strength lies in the subtle.
“Wells’ evocative piano accompaniment complements perfectly her reflective lyrics and expressive singing. She’s got a warm breathy delivery and she’s able to move easily from full deep notes to delicate ethereal highs. Her voice is amazing.”
- Chuck Cuminale, City Newpaper, Rochester, NY
“On each song, Annie Wells finds a new way to surprise her listeners. She stays cool, never using more volume than she needs. The passion doesn’t jump out at you; Wells asks you to look into the music and find it on your own. Easily bored by pop conventions, she screens her own songs for predictable melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic structures until they hold her interest from beginning to end.”
- H. B. Ward, City Newspaper, Rochester, NY
“With passionate singing and honest, gospel-tinged vocals, her sophisticated music echos that of Laura Nyro.”
- Greg Haymes, Albany Times Union
“A precise vocal style, whose angelic tones at times drift to the ethereal. [Wells’] arrangements bring to mind Canadian chanteuse Holly Cole, on the edge of jazz and pop.
- Jeff Spevak, Gannett News