Showing posts with label Muggsy Spanier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muggsy Spanier. Show all posts

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Muggsy Spanier • Chicago Jazz

 



Description from The Syncopated Times:
Cornetist Muggsy Spanier was one of the most consistent of all jazz musicians. While sometimes called "Chicago style," in reality he was a masterful and always-enthusiastic Dixieland player. His solos were mostly predictable, but it did not matter because he played with such power, authority, and sincerity that he uplifted every ensemble in which he took part. His playing never became tired or uninspired.

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Descripción de The Syncopated Times:
El cornetista Muggsy Spanier fue uno de los músicos de jazz más consistentes de todos. Si bien a veces se lo llamó "estilo Chicago", en realidad fue un magistral y siempre entusiasta músico de Dixieland. Sus solos eran en su mayoría predecibles, pero no importaba porque tocaba con tal poder, autoridad y sinceridad que elevaba cada conjunto en el que participaba. Su interpretación nunca se volvió cansada o sin inspiración.


Sunday, June 1, 2025

Earl Hines & Muggsy Spanier All Stars • The Chicago Dates

 



After his swing combo (heard on the Storyville CD, Esquire All Stars) broke up, pianist Earl Hines teamed up with cornetist Muggsy Spanier and put together a dixieland band that lasted for three years. The broadcasts that comprise this CD (two of the selections were previously unissued) are among the first made by this particular group, which consists of Hines, Spanier, trombonist Jimmy Archey, clarinetist Darnell Howard, bassist Pops Foster and drummer Earl Watkins. The repertoire is not particularly challenging for Hines, but he fares well on tune such as "Wang Wang Blues," "Mahogany Hall Stomp," "I Found a New Baby" and even "The Saints." Spanier is predictable but enthusiastic, Archey and Howard have their exciting moments and Foster is showcased thumping away on "Pops Blues." Recommended to dixieland fans. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
https://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-dates-mw0000665845

This CD consists of a live performance in a Chicago nightclub in 1954, captured on tape. The personnel, mentioned above, was breathtaking and of great historical importance. Howard and Archey had played in King Oliver's band in the twenties, and Foster, one of the hottest bass players in jazz history, with Luis Russell and others. Watkins was a New Orleans drummer of great skill, while Earl Hines was one of the great innovative pianists of the twenties who contributed enormously to the music throughout his life. The recording balance on the original tapes used here was quite good and the sound quality has nevertheless been improved considerably by Dave Bennett!
http://www.storyvillerecords.com/products/the-chicago-dates-stcd6037

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Tras la disolución de su combo de swing (escuchado en el CD de Storyville, Esquire All Stars), el pianista Earl Hines se asoció con el cornetista Muggsy Spanier y formaron una banda de dixieland que duró tres años. Las emisiones que componen este CD (dos de las selecciones eran inéditas) se encuentran entre las primeras realizadas por este grupo en particular, formado por Hines, Spanier, el trombonista Jimmy Archey, el clarinetista Darnell Howard, el bajista Pops Foster y el batería Earl Watkins. El repertorio no es especialmente desafiante para Hines, pero se defiende bien en temas como "Wang Wang Blues", "Mahogany Hall Stomp", "I Found a New Baby" e incluso "The Saints". Spanier es predecible pero entusiasta, Archey y Howard tienen sus momentos emocionantes y Foster se luce aporreando en "Pops Blues". Recomendado a los fans del dixieland. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
https://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-dates-mw0000665845

Este CD consiste en una actuación en directo en un club nocturno de Chicago en 1954, grabada en cinta. El personal, mencionado anteriormente, era impresionante y de gran importancia histórica. Howard y Archey habían tocado en la banda de King Oliver en los años veinte, y Foster, uno de los mejores bajistas de la historia del jazz, con Luis Russell y otros. Watkins era un batería de Nueva Orleans de gran habilidad, mientras que Earl Hines fue uno de los grandes pianistas innovadores de los años veinte que contribuyó enormemente a la música a lo largo de su vida. El balance de grabación en las cintas originales utilizadas aquí era bastante bueno y, sin embargo, la calidad del sonido ha sido mejorada considerablemente por Dave Bennett.
http://www.storyvillerecords.com/products/the-chicago-dates-stcd6037