Michael "Spike" Wells, born on 16 January 1946 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is an English jazz drummer and priest. He began as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and developed a passion for jazz after hearing Dizzy Gillespie. Wells took up drums in his early teens and studied under former Miles Davis drummer Philly Joe Jones, also drawing inspiration from Tony Williams. While at Oxford University, he formed a quartet with Pat Crumly and Brian Priestley, performing alongside visiting musicians such as Bobby Wellins, Tony Coe, Joe Harriott, and blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon. In 1968, he joined Tubby Hayes’ quartet and big band, launching his professional career, and later played with Lionel Grigson’s quintet, Humphrey Lyttelton’s band, and numerous international artists at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. After qualifying as a solicitor, Wells practiced law for 22 years before experiencing a religious reconversion that led him to become a deacon and later a non-stipendiary priest while continuing his musical career.
