Few producers in music can rival the pedigree and resume of Grammy-winning producer, mixer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Greg Wells. The man The Police’s Stewart Copeland once dubbed “the studio Swiss Army knife” for his wide range of skills has crafted hits on more than 125 million units sold, from the worldwide smash soundtrack of The Greatest Showman, Adele, John Legend, Taylor Swift, Twenty One Pilots, P!nk, Keith Urban, Deftones, Katy Perry and OneRepublic. A renowned musician on many instruments, Wells’ career has transcended sonic guidance, as the fluent pianist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer has mastered the balance between hands-on help and drawing out an artist’s own sound regardless of genre.
In contrast to many of his peers, Wells’ career has never been about creating an aural stamp to imprint a “signature sound.” Despite his vast knowledge and lifelong interest in music, Wells prefers to be a guiding sensei in the studio rather than an overshadowing presence. “You have to jump into the pool with the artist and quickly assess what’s happening,” says Wells. “You want to hear somebody lost in their own performance with a complete lack of self-consciousness. For me, the goal is to shine the best light on the artist themselves and help them be as true to themselves as possible. I’m more the basketball coach than the player.”
In 1990, Wells moved to Los Angeles and studied with famed jazz composer, pianist and Prince’s string arranger Clare Fischer. After recording, and subsequently shelving, his own album — “It was a great lesson in what never to repeat” — Wells turned to producing and writing for others. Wells has a core knowledge is essential and rare, and it’s why rapper Theophilus London can roll to Wells’ studio in the morning and Dua Lipa can cut a track later that afternoon with both feeling confident with the results.
This unparalleled versatility, spirit, and musical fluency continues to make him one of the most talented and sought-after producers, songwriters and musicians in the industry.
