Muggsy Spanier
Source: Jango
Born Francis Joseph Julian Spanier in Chicago on 9 November 1901, Dixieland cornetist, Muggsy Spanier, began his professional career in 1921 with Elmer Schoebel's band. Spanier later made his first recordings with the Dixieland band, the Bucktown Five, on February 25, 1924, in Chicago, among titles issued being 'Mobile Blues' (Gennett 5405), 'Chicago Blues' (Gennett 5418) and 'Someday Sweetheart' (Gennett 5405). Members of the Bucktown Five beside Spanier at cornet were Guy Carey (trombone), Volly de Fault (clarinet), Marvin Saxbe (banjo, guitar and cymbal) and Mel Stitzel (piano).
'Steady Roll Blues' The Bucktown Five
25 Feb 1924 in Richmond IN Matrix 11766-A 1st of session Gennett 5419
Composition: George Bates / Mel Stitzel
'Mobile Blues' The Bucktown Five
25 Feb 1924 in Richmond IN Matrix 11767 Gennett 5405
Composition: Billy Rose
'Really a Pain' The Bucktown Five
25 Feb 1924 in Richmond IN 1st of 2 takes Matrix 11768-A Gennett 5419
Composition: Art Kassell / Jimmy Sturr / Muggsy Spanier
'Chicago Blues' The Bucktown Five
25 Feb 1924 in Richmond IN Matrix 11769-B Gennett 5419
Composition: Biese / Altlieve / Williams
'Buddy's Habits' The Bucktown Five
25 Feb 1924 in Richmond IN Matrix 11771 or 11771-B both issued on Gennett 5418
Composition: Arnett Nelson / Charley Straight
'Someday Sweetheart' The Bucktown Five
25 Feb 1924 in Richmond IN Matrix 11772 Gennett 5405
Composition: Benjamin Franklin Spikes / John Spikes
Spanier's second session was for Autograph with the Stomp Six about July of 1925. The Stomp Six was a band that had no existence outside the recording studio. Issued from that was 'Why Can't It Be Poor Little Me?' and 'Everybody Loves My Baby'. Members of the Stomp Six beside Spanier on cornet were Guy Carey (trombone), Volly de Faut (clarinet), Mel Stitzel (piano), Joe Gish (tuba) and Ben Pollack (drums).
'Why Can't It Be Poor Little Me?' The Stomp Six
C July 1925 in Chicago Matrix 828 Autograph 626
Composition: Isham Jones / Gustav Kahn
'Everybody Loves My Baby' The Stomp Six
C July 1925 in Chicago Matrix 829 Autograph 626
Composition: Jack Palmer / Spencer Williams
It was another few years before Spanier recorded again, not until February of 1928 with Charles Pierce and his Orchestra, toward the issue of 'Bull Frog Blues' and 'China Boy'. Spanier's initial recordings with the Chicago Rhythm Kings were in Chicago in March of 1928, but Vocalion didn't issue those. Besides Spanier at trumpet that band consisted of Frank Teschmacher (clarinet), Mezz Mezzrow (tenor sax), Joe Sullivan (piano), Eddie Condon (banjo), Jim Lannigan (tuba), Red McKenzie (vocals), and Gene Krupa (drums). Their next session on April 6 wrought 'There'll Be Some Changes Made' and 'I've Found a New Baby'. That group recorded as the Jungle Kings on the 28th of April, yielding 'Friar's Point Shuffle' and 'At the Darktown Strutter's Ball'. Condon and Sullivan remained significant associates through the years.
'Nobody's Sweetheart' Charles Pierce & His Orchestra
April 1928 in Chicago Paramount 20616
Cornet: Muggsy Spanier Trombone: Jack Reid Clarinet / alto sax: Frank Teschmacher
Alto sax: Charles Pierce Tenor sax: Ralph Rudder
Piano: Danny Lipscomb Banjo: Stuart Branch
Tuba: Johnny Mueller Drums: Paul Kettler
Composition: Elmer Schoebel / Gus Kahn
Spanier recorded with the band of Ted Lewis from May 1929 to July 1933. He first backed vocalist, Connie Boswell, in February of 1937 before his initial tracks with the Rhythm Wreckers in March. Spanier's first recordings as a leader in New Orleans in 1938 went unissued until years later. His next, upon the formation of his Ragtime Band, were issued in 1939 from a session on July 7 in Chicago yielding two takes each of 'Big Butter and Egg Man', 'Someday Sweetheart', 'Eccentric' and 'That Da Da Strain'.
'Big Butter and Egg Man' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtime Band
7 July 1939 in Chicago 1 of 2 takes issued on Bluebird B10417 or Meritt 11
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Rod Cless
Tenor sax: Ray McKinstry Piano: George Zack Guitar: Bob Casey
Bass: Pat Pattison Drums: Marty Greenberg
Composition: Percy Venable for Louis Armstrong 1926
'That Da Da Strain' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtime Band
7 July 1939 in Chicago 2nd of 2 takes issued on Bluebird B10384
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Rod Cless
Tenor sax: Ray McKinstry Piano: George Zack Guitar: Bob Casey
Bass: Pat Pattison Drums: Marty Greenberg
Composition: Edgar Dowell / Mamie Medina
'I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtime Band
10 Nov 1939 in NYC Matrix BS043376-1 Bluebird B10384
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Rod Cless
Tenor sax: Bernie Billings Piano: Joe Bushkin
Bass: Bob Casey Drums: Don Carter
Composition: Armand John Piron
'Dipper Mouth Blues' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtime Band
10 Nov 1939 in NYC Matrix BS043377-1 Bluebird B10506
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Rod Cless
Tenor sax: Bernie Billings Piano: Joe Bushkin
Bass: Bob Casey Drums: Don Carter
Composition: King Oliver / Louis Armstrong
'Relaxin' at the Touro' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtime Band
22 Nov 1939 in NYC 1 of 2 takes issued on Bluebird B10532 or Meritt 25
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Rod Cless
Tenor sax: Nick Caiazza Piano: Joe Bushkin
Bass: Bob Casey Drums: Don Carter
Composition: Muggsy Spanier / Joe Bushkin
'Lonesome Road' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtime Band
12 Dec 1939 in NYC 1 of 2 takes issued on Bluebird B10532 or Meritt 25
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Rod Cless
Tenor sax: Nick Caiazza Piano: Joe Bushkin
Bass: Bob Casey Drums: Al Sidell
Composition: Gene Austin / Nathaniel Shilkret
Spanier first laid tracks with Sidney Bechet, Pee Wee Russell, Bob Crosby and Lee Wiley in 1940. Also notable in Spanier's career was pianist, Earl Hines, with whom he first worked in 1945, Hines to later become a member of Spanier's band. Upright bassist, Pops Foster, joined Spanier's orchestra in 1946 to remain a steady figure into the fifties. Spanier recorded prolifically into the sixties. Lord traces him to as late as 5 July of 1964 at the Newport Jazz Festival.
'Sweet Lorraine' Bechet/Spanier Big Four
28 March 1940 in NYC HRS 2000
Cornet: Muggsy Spanier Clarinet / soprano sax: Sidney Bechet
Guitar: Carmen Mastren Bass: Wellman Braud
Music: Cliff Burwell 1928 Lyrics: Mitchell Parish
'Snag It' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtimers
15 April 1944 in NYC 2nd of 3 takes issued variously
Trombone: Miff Mole Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell
Piano: Dick Cary Guitar: Eddie Condon
Bass: Bob Casey Drums: Joe Grauso
Composition: King Oliver
'Alice Blue Gown' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtimers
15 April 1944 in NYC 1st of 3 takes issued variously
Trombone: Miff Mole Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell
Piano: Dick Cary Guitar: Eddie Condon
Bass: Bob Casey Drums: Joe Grauso
Composition: Joseph McCarthy / Harry Tierney
'Memphis Blues' Eddie Condon Blue Network Show #18 Radio
16 Sep 1944 at Town Hall in NYC Chiaroscuro CR108
Cornet: Muggsy Spanier Trombone: Miff Mole Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell
Baritone sax: Ernie Caceres Piano: Gene Schroeder Guitar: Eddie Condon
Bass: Jack Lesberg Drums: Gene Krupa
Composition: W.C. Handy / George Norton
'Sweet Sue, Just You' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Ragtimers
27 Sep 1944 in NYC Commodore 1519
Trombone: Miff Mole Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell Tenor sax: Boomie Richman
Piano: Gene Schroeder Guitar: Eddie Condon
Bass: Bob Haggart Drums: George Wettling
Composition: Will Harris / Victor Young
'Pat's Blues' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His V-Disc All Stars
17 Oct 1944 in NYC V-Disc 394
Trombone: Miff Mole Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell Tenor sax: Boomie Richman
Piano: Gene Schroeder Guitar: Eddie Condon
Bass: Bob Haggart Drums: George Wettling
Composition: Will Harris / Victor Young
'Sweet Georgia Brown' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Dixieland Band
27 March 1950 in NYC Mercury 5460
Trombone: George Brunies Clarinet: Darnell Howard
Piano: Floyd Bean Bass: Truck Parham Drums: Sidney Catlett
Music: Ben Bernie / Maceo Pinkard 1925 Lyrics: Kenneth Casey
'Moonglow' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Dixieland Band
29 Aug 1951 in Chicago Mercury 5717
Trombone: Ralph Hutchinson Clarinet: Darnell Howard Piano: Floyd Bean
Bass: Truck Parham Drums: Barrett Deems Vocal: Buddy Charles
Composition: Will Hudson / Eddie DeLange / Irving Mills
'Chicago Dates' Earl Hines/Muggsy Spanier All Stars Album
Compilation of 1954 nightclub performances Storyville STCD 6037 / 1998
Cornet / trumpet: Muggsy Spanier Trombone: Jimmy Archey Clarinet: Darnell Howard
Piano: Earl Hines Bass: Pops Foster Drums: Earl Watkins
This album: Discogs Storyville Records
'Colombia the Gem of the Ocean' Muggsy Spanier (cornet) & His Huge Dixieland Band
From the album 'Columbia - The Gem Of The Ocean' Ava AS-12 / 1962
Trumpet: Shorty Sherock / Cappy Lewis / John Audino
Trombone: Milt Bernhart / Moe Schneider / Dick Leith
Reeds (clarinet / sax): Jack Dumont / Matty Matlock / Eddie Miller / Herbie Steward / Teddy Lee
Piano: Stan Wrightsman Guitar: Al Hendrickson
Bass: Ray Leatherwood Drums: Nick Fatool
This album: Discogs
Spanier passed away on 12 February 1967 in Sausalito, CA.
Sources & References for Muggsy Spanier:
Margaret Moos-Pick / Jim Cullum (Riverwalk Jazz)
VF History (notes)
Scott Yanow (All Music)
Audio of Spanier: Jazz Rhythm
Spanier in Film: IMDb
Recordings: Catalogs:
45 Worlds Discogs Music Brainz RYM SHS
Recordings: Compilations:
Muggsy Spanier and his Bucktown Five (Riverside Records RLP 1035 / 1954)
Recordings: Sessions:
DAHR (Muggsy Spanier 1931-54)
Tom Lord: leading 59 of 222 sessions 1924-64
Online Discographical Project (Gennett 5000-5500)
Red Hot Jazz (Scott Alexander):
Muggsy Spanier & His Ragtime Band (1939)
Muggsy Spanier & His Ragtimers (1942 / 1944)
Muggsy Spanier & His V-Disc All-Stars (1944)
Authority Search: VIAF World Cat
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