Francis Joseph Julian "Muggsy" Spanier (November 9, 1901 – February 12, 196… Read Full Bio ↴Francis Joseph Julian "Muggsy" Spanier (November 9, 1901 – February 12, 1967) was a prominent cornet player based in Chicago. He was renowned as the best trumpet/cornet player in Chicago until Bix Beiderbecke entered the scene.
Muggsy led several traditional, "hot" jazz bands, most notably Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtime Band (which did not, in fact, play ragtime but, rather, "hot jazz" that would now be called Dixieland). This band set the style for all later attempts to play traditional jazz with a swing rhythm section. Its key members, apart from Muggsy, were: George Brunies - later Brunis - (trombone and vocals), Rodney Cless (clarinet), George Zack or Joe Bushkin (piano), Ray McKinstry, Nick Ciazza or Bernie Billings (tenor sax), and Bob Casey (bass). A number of competent but unmemorable drummers worked in the band.
The Ragtime Band's theme tune was "Relaxin' at the Touro", named for Touro Infirmary, the New Orleans hospital where Muggsy had been treated for a perforated ulcer early in 1938. He had been at the point of death when he was saved by one Dr. Alton Ochsner who drained the fluid and eased Muggsy's weakened breathing.
"Relaxin' At The Touro" is a fairly straightforward 12-bar blues, with a neat piano introduction and coda by Joe Bushkin. The pianist recalled, many years later: "When I finally joined Muggsy in Chicago (having left Bunny Berigan's failing big band) we met to talk it over at the Three Deuces, where Art Tatum was appearing. Muggsy was now playing opposite Fats Waller at the Sherman hotel and we worked out a kind of stage show for the two bands. Muggsy was a man of great integrity. We played a blues in C and I made up a little intro. After that I was listed as the co-composer of "Relaxin' at the Touro" (quoted by Richard B. Hadlock in the notes to the Bluebird CD 'Muggsy Spanier 1939 - The "Ragtime Band" Sessions', 07863 66550).
The (then) young pianist Joe Bushkin was in the Ragtime Band in 1939 and later said of Muggsy: "When he nailed something right, he stayed with it; he wouldn't fix it if it wasn't broke".
In his time, Muggsy made numerous Dixieland recordings that still serve as favorites today. Apart from the famous Ragtime Band, his other most important ventures were the quartet he co-led with Sidney Bechet (the 'Big Four') in 1940 and the traditional band he co-led with pianist Earl Hines at the Club Hangover in San Francisco in the 1950s. During the early 1920s he played with The Bucktown Five in Chicago.
Although Muggsy's real name was Francis Joseph Julian Spanier, he acquired the nickname "Muggsy" either because of his youthful enthusiasm for a baseball hero ("Muggsy" McGraw), or because of his obsession with King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. He was known to have shadowed and "mugged" both of them, copying their styles and incorporating them into his own music. He was allowed, on at least one occasion, to sit in with King Oliver's band (with Louis Armstrong on second cornet) at the Lincoln Gardens, Chicago, in the early 1920s.
He ended his days in the 1960s, leading a traditional jazz band that included old friends like Joe Sullivan (piano), Pops Foster (bass) and Darnell Howard (clarinet). He was not a great technician or virtuoso, but he could lead a traditional ensemble with fire and guts.
Muggsy led several traditional, "hot" jazz bands, most notably Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtime Band (which did not, in fact, play ragtime but, rather, "hot jazz" that would now be called Dixieland). This band set the style for all later attempts to play traditional jazz with a swing rhythm section. Its key members, apart from Muggsy, were: George Brunies - later Brunis - (trombone and vocals), Rodney Cless (clarinet), George Zack or Joe Bushkin (piano), Ray McKinstry, Nick Ciazza or Bernie Billings (tenor sax), and Bob Casey (bass). A number of competent but unmemorable drummers worked in the band.
The Ragtime Band's theme tune was "Relaxin' at the Touro", named for Touro Infirmary, the New Orleans hospital where Muggsy had been treated for a perforated ulcer early in 1938. He had been at the point of death when he was saved by one Dr. Alton Ochsner who drained the fluid and eased Muggsy's weakened breathing.
"Relaxin' At The Touro" is a fairly straightforward 12-bar blues, with a neat piano introduction and coda by Joe Bushkin. The pianist recalled, many years later: "When I finally joined Muggsy in Chicago (having left Bunny Berigan's failing big band) we met to talk it over at the Three Deuces, where Art Tatum was appearing. Muggsy was now playing opposite Fats Waller at the Sherman hotel and we worked out a kind of stage show for the two bands. Muggsy was a man of great integrity. We played a blues in C and I made up a little intro. After that I was listed as the co-composer of "Relaxin' at the Touro" (quoted by Richard B. Hadlock in the notes to the Bluebird CD 'Muggsy Spanier 1939 - The "Ragtime Band" Sessions', 07863 66550).
The (then) young pianist Joe Bushkin was in the Ragtime Band in 1939 and later said of Muggsy: "When he nailed something right, he stayed with it; he wouldn't fix it if it wasn't broke".
In his time, Muggsy made numerous Dixieland recordings that still serve as favorites today. Apart from the famous Ragtime Band, his other most important ventures were the quartet he co-led with Sidney Bechet (the 'Big Four') in 1940 and the traditional band he co-led with pianist Earl Hines at the Club Hangover in San Francisco in the 1950s. During the early 1920s he played with The Bucktown Five in Chicago.
Although Muggsy's real name was Francis Joseph Julian Spanier, he acquired the nickname "Muggsy" either because of his youthful enthusiasm for a baseball hero ("Muggsy" McGraw), or because of his obsession with King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. He was known to have shadowed and "mugged" both of them, copying their styles and incorporating them into his own music. He was allowed, on at least one occasion, to sit in with King Oliver's band (with Louis Armstrong on second cornet) at the Lincoln Gardens, Chicago, in the early 1920s.
He ended his days in the 1960s, leading a traditional jazz band that included old friends like Joe Sullivan (piano), Pops Foster (bass) and Darnell Howard (clarinet). He was not a great technician or virtuoso, but he could lead a traditional ensemble with fire and guts.
When The Saints Go Marching In
Muggsy Spanier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'When The Saints Go Marching In' by these artists:
103rd Street Gospel Choir Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Armstrong Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
B-B. King (Repeat 2X) Oh when the saints go marching in When the saint…
B.B. King (Repeat 2X) Oh when the saints go marching in When the sai…
B.B. King & Richie Sambora (Repeat 2X) Oh when the saints go marching in When the saint…
Barbecue Bob Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Belafonte Harry Oh, when the saints, go marching in Yes when the saints…
Bill & Gloria Gaither Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Bill & Gloria Gaither feat. Jake Hess and Terry Blackwood Hmmm, Hmmm We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those wh…
Bo Diddley Oh when the saints, go marching in, Oh when the saints…
Bob Haggart and His Orchestra Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready…
Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams Start spreading the news I'm leaving today I want to be a…
Bruce Springsteen We are all trav'ling in the footsteps Of those that've gone…
Bruce Springsteen & The Session Band We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those that'd come…
Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band We are all trav'ling in the footsteps Of those that've gone…
Cash/Lewis We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of…
Cedarmont Kids Oh when the saints go marching in Oh when the saints…
Choir & Orchestra Of The New Apostolic Church Cape Town Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want (Jesus on…
Chris Barber Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears…
Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley Oh when the saints, go marching in, Oh when the saints…
Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley Oh when the saints, go marching in, Oh when the saints…
Connee Boswell Oh, when the saints go marching in (Repeat x2) I want…
Crescent City Rhithm And Jazz Band Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears…
Danny Kaye & Louis Armstrong Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
Dave Bartholomew Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Dr John Well a-when the saints go marching in, When the saints go…
Dr. Chesky Oh when the saints go marching in Oh when the saints…
Dr. John Well a-when the saints go marching in, When the saints go…
E.C. and Orna Ball Show We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Earl Perkins We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
Earl Scruggs Oh when the saints go marching in when the saints…
Ella & Louis Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
Ella Fitzgerald Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
Ella Mae Wilson Lillie B. Williams and Richard Williams Oh, when the saints go marching in Well, when the saints…
Elvis Presley We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Elvis Presley - Carl Perkins - Jerry Lee Lewis - Jonny Cash [Chorus] Well when the saints go marchin' in Well when the s…
Elvis Presley Carl Perkins Jerry Lee Lewis & Johnny Cash [Chorus] Well when the saints go marchin' in Well when the…
Fats Domino Oh when the saints go marching in Oh when the saints…
Fats Domino & Dave Bartholomew Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra & Ray Eberle There'll be a hot time in the town of Berlin When…
Golden Gate Quartet Oh, when the saints, go marching in, Yes when the saints…
H.C. We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
Hank Thompson Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Hank Williams Oh, when the saints go marching in Well, when the saints…
Harlem Gospel Singers & Band We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those that'd come…
Harry Belafonte Oh, when the saints, go marching in Yes when the saints…
Harry James and His Orchestra Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready…
Helen Humes Oh, when the saints go marching in [Repeat x2] I want…
Henry Jerome and His Orchestra Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready…
Humes Helen Oh, when the saints go marching in [Repeat x2] I want…
Ike & Tina Turner We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
Isley Brothers Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
J C Higginbotham We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
J.C. Higginbotham (w. Louis Armstrong) Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
J.J. Johnson We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Jack Parnell And His Orchestra We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins Oh, when the saints go marching in (2x) I want to…
Jerry Lee Lewis We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of…
Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis [Chorus] Well when the saints go marchin' in Well when the…
Johnny Cash/Jerry Lee Lewis We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of…
Judy Garland And Liza Minnelli Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Keely Smith Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Kingston Trio Oh yeah We are following the footsteps Of those who've gone …
Lester Flatt Oh when the saints go marching in when the saints…
Lewis Jerry Lee We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of…
Lightnin' Hopkins I'm in the mood for marchin' in I'm in the mood…
Little Richard Oh when the saints go marching in When the saints go…
LIVING ROOM 1 - Bruce Springsteen We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those that'd come…
London Community Gospel Choir Hmmm, Hmmm We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those wh…
Louis Armstrong We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Louis Armstrong His All Stars Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready…
Louis Armstrong & Danny Kaye We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
Louis Armstrong & The All Stars and Guests Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready …
Louis Armstrong杮 Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready…
Louis Prima Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Louis Prima Sam Butera & The Witnesses Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
Mahalia Oh, when the saints, go marching in Yes when the saints…
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Hmmm, Hmmm We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those wh…
Mr. Eric & Mr. Michael Oh when the saints go marching in Oh when the saints…
Ottilie Patterson & Chris Barber Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears…
Pete Fountain Divine Comedy, The Promenade When The Lights Go Out All Ov…
Pete Seeger We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Said when the saints, when the saints When the saints go…
Queen Ida Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
rev r. l. white Oh when the saints go marching in Oh when the saints…
Roger McGuinn We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Santa Jam Vó Alberta Oh, when the Saints (when the saints) Go marching in (marchi…
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears…
St. Snot Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da…
Steelasophical Oh, when the saints, go marching in, Yes when the saints…
The All-Stars We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
The Beatles Hey! We are following the footsteps of those who've gone…
The Golden Gate Quartet Oh, when the saints, go marching in, Yes when the saints…
The Isley Brothers Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints…
The Kingston Trio Oh yeah We are following the footsteps Of those who've gone …
The Million Dollar Quartet We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befo…
The Original Memphis Five Oh, when the saints go marching in (Repeat x2) I want…
The Pinker Tones Oh when the Saints go marching in 2x Oh Lord, I…
The Sessions Band/Bruce Springsteen We are all traveling in the footsteps Of those that'd come…
The The Kingston Trio Oh yeah We are following the footsteps Of those who've gone …
The Weavers We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Tommy Eden & The 4/8 Singin' Factory Oh, when the saints, go marching in, Yes when the saints…
Tommy Eden & The Gospel Choir Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want (Jesus on…
Tony Sheridan Hey! We are following the footsteps of those who've gone…
varios O when the Saints marching in Now, when the Saints go marchi…
Wayne Newton Oh, when the saints go marching in (2x) I want to…
Weavers The We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
Wingy Manone And His Orchestra Sisters and brothers This is reverend Satchmo gettin' ready…
Woody Wright & Ivan Parker I'm Just A Weary Pilgrim Plodding Through This World Of Sin …
We have lyrics for these tracks by Muggsy Spanier:
Am I Blue Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead Pains in my head,…
Basin Street Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Black And Blue Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead Pains in my head,…
Blue Turning Grey Over You Gee, how I miss Your tender kiss, And the wonderful things…
Bugle Call Rag You're bound to fall for the bugle call; You're gonna brag…
Careless Love Love, oh love, oh careless love You've fly through my head…
Dinah Carolina Gave me Dinah; I'm the proudest one Beneath t…
Down to Steamboat Tennessee In the morning, baby, just for a day, Someone will get…
Farewell Blues Sadness just makes me sigh, I've come to say goodbye, Alth…
How Come You do Me Like You Do How come you do me like you do do do? How…
I When days are long and nights are lonely And all my…
I Can't Give You Anything But Love Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
I'm Sorry I Made You Cry I'm sorry, dear, so sorry, dear I'm sorry I made you…
If I Had You I could show the world how to smile I could be…
Ja-Da You've heard all about your raggy melody Everything from ope…
LADY BE GOOD Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Lonesome Road Look down, look down that lonesome road Before you travel on…
Love Is Just Around the Corner Beautiful miracle, pardon my lyrical rhapsody, But can't you…
Mood Indigo You ain't never been blue; no, no, no, You ain't…
Moonglow It must have been moonglow, way up in the blue It…
More Than You Know Whether you are here or yonder, Whether you are false…
Oh Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Oh Lady Be Good! Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Riverboat Shuffle All you cotton toters, Mississippi floaters, Gather all ab…
Rose Room I want to take you to a little room A little…
St. james infirmary It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner…
St. Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Sweet Lorraine Everything is set, skies are blue, Can't believe it yet, but…
The Lady's in Love With You Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
The Man I Love When days are long and nights are lonely And all my…
You Rascal You Whether you are here or yonder, Whether you are false…
You Took Advantage of Me When a girl has the heart of a mother It must…
You're Lucky To Me Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found