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" ...