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.

You wrote “True Blue Boy” as a gift for your now-husband. How did he react when he first heard it performed live?

I had a performance date scheduled on Colin’s birthday in August. I worked quickly to finish writing the song in time to surprise him. He was at a table nearby with friends when I announced I had a birthday gift for him. Colin was very moved by the song, and by October, he asked me to marry him. The song wasn’t intended to prompt a proposal, but I suppose it helped to “seal the deal”.

Your music balances jazz tradition with modern singer-songwriter storytelling. How do you maintain that balance?

Pop melodies and jazz chords. 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. The stories are heartfelt and true. They are drawn from my journals and 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.

I’ve learned so much about songwriting from Phil Marshall (Phil Marshall), who played guitar on “True Blue Boy”. Phil is my long-time musical mentor and friend. He comes from the same school of genre blending and storytelling, incorporating his own unique style of writing. He gives me honest feedback that helps shape the lyrics and arrangements. 

What was it like working with jazz veterans like Mike Kaupa and Dave Arenius on this track?

I have been incredibly fortunate to perform and record with Mike Kaupa and Dave Arenius. They brought a traditional jazz background to the music and deftly turned it on its head, integrating it perfectly with “True Blue Boy”. 

Mike played trumpet through a pedal board that created the cool harmonies you hear weaving in and out of the song. His use of electronics adds beautiful, lush textures and layers of sound. Dave played his Bohemian (Czech, Hungarian, and/or German) double bass made ca. 1850 that exudes a deep warmth. Dave is a lyrical bass player. His melodic lines are grounded in jazz.

Because it defies categorization, I’ve asked Dave and Mike to help me describe my music. They both say, “It’s Annie”. Dave has called my music “delicious.”

Many of your songs draw on strong women and personal history. How does that influence continue to shape your writing?

The women I’ve written songs about have inspired me to stay true to my dreams. In the face of adversity or perceived limitations, they did not give up.

Family members, artists, musicians, and even a fictional character from a movie have all validated my need to keep making music. In a song I wrote, inspired by a message from my mother—channeled through a psychic medium—she urges me to “sing a song soft and low, just like a mourning dove / It doesn’t matter if nobody hears you, I hear you with my heart”. 

Memories can carry a lonely power that transforms into connection when they resonate with the listeners of my songs. When someone is moved by my music, it means the world to me.

With Pictures of Heart on the way in 2026, what themes or stories are you most excited to share?

“She dreams pictures of a heart” is a lyric line from one of the tracks on my new album.  Each of the seven songs tells a different love story, but not in the way you’d expect. The theme throughout the album is how love takes on many forms and meanings.

“True Blue Boy” is about my long road to true love. In “Time Escaped”, time is personified in a love letter to my family during the pandemic.

“Devil’s Gonna Get You” conveys what it’s like to truly love someone who can only respond with conditional love.

“Radio Silence”, written by Christopher Earl Zajkowski, tells the story of betrayal and heartbreak.

“1000 Hearts” is about selfless love that came too late for a child with autism who wandered away from his school unnoticed.

In “Pictures”, we see a lonely woman longing for love and connection. Her memories are all she has.

In the final track, “Blue Aeroplane,” written by my friend Dave Ripton, love carries on beyond mortality. The last time I saw Dave, he confided in me that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He asked me to record his song, and it was an honor to receive that gift from him.