Spanier took up the cornet at the age of thirteen (1919), became a professional musician two years later (1921) and joined elmes schoebel's orchestra. in 1924, when he was just eighteen, he recorded his first album with the bucktown five; he played extensively in all the clubs in chicago, which is a breeding ground for musicians (chicago school). in 1929 he joined the band of singer-comedian ted lewis, with whom he made two short films. "under the direction of paul sloane, muggsy spanier toured europe with ted lewis's orchestra, playing in paris at "l'ambassadeur" and "l'empire" (1930). in 1936, he joins the band of singer-conductor ben pollack, with whom he plays for two years (1936-1938). seriously ill from alcohol-related causes, spanier withdraws from ben pollack's band. in early 1939, he formed his own eight-piece band: "muggsy spanier and his ragtime band", a "revival" group dedicated to reviving the music of new orleans. financial problems forced him to disband the group (early 1940). in 1940, he recorded with sidney bechet (big four), and played from 1941 to 1943 with the bandleader's dixieland group. in 1941, he joined singer Bob Crosby, with whom he performed in Joseph Santley's musical "Sis Hopkins". From 1943 to 1949, Muggsy Spanier led several small Dixieland bands. In 1950, he played several concerts in San Francisco with pianist Earl Hines, returning to Europe and France for a second time. spanier was part of the chicago school; he was a white musician who played and identified with black musicians; he was initially inspired by trumpeter tommy ladnier, and later by trumpeter louis armstrong and cornetist king olives. spanier was the initiator of the "revival" movement in favor of new orleans music. he frequently used the mute to embellish his playing, which was sure and supple.
