Magnificent Muggsy! Another of the all-time greats of jazz trumpet is added to the Retrospective roster.

Inspired by King Oliver, Chicago-born Francis Joseph Julian 'Muggsy' Spanier (1901–1967) developed a unique sound for his cornet playing – especially a wonderful skill with mutes – and a lusty, driving lead to his Dixieland-style bands.

'Relaxin’ at the Touro' (his tribute to the doctor who saved his life in 1938 at the Touro Infirmary) has been taken as the title for this compendium of Muggsy’s finest work, covering his career from his first (pre-electric) session with The Bucktown Five in 1924 to his performances in the mid-50s with such as Earl Hines.

Unusually for Retrospective, we have chosen to dedicate the first CD to all 16 of the superlative Ragtime Band recordings of 1939, always referred to as 'The Great Sixteen', and to all eight of the 1940 quartet recordings he made with Sidney Bechet as 'The Bechet-Spanier Big Four' – both high points in the history of classic jazz.

Enhanced by fellow-trumpeter Digby Fairweather’s booklet notes, this is altogether a superb addition to Retrospective’s series of top jazz trumpeters.

Track Listing:
CD 1
Muggsy Spanier & his Ragtime Band:
1. Big Butter And Egg Man
2. Someday, Sweetheart
3. Eccentric
4. That Da-Da Strain
5. At The Jazz Band Ball
6. I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
7. Dippermouth Blues
8. Livery Stable Blues
9. Riverboat Shuffle
10. Relaxin’ At The Touro
11. At Sundown
12. Bluin’ The Blues
13. The Lonesome Road
14. Dinah
15. Black And Blue
16. Mandy, Make Up Your Mind

The Bechet-Spanier Big Four:
17. Four Or Five Times
18. Sweet Lorraine
19. Lazy River
20. China Boy
21. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight
22. That’s A Plenty
23. Squeeze Me
24. Sweet Sue, Just You

CD 2
The Bucktown Five
1. Mobile Blues
The Chicago Rhythm Kings:
2. There’ll Be Some Changes Made
Ted Lewis and his Band:
3. Lewisada Blues
4. Royal Garden Blues
Ben Pollack and his Pick A Rib Boys:
5. My Wild Irish Rose
Lee Wiley:
6. Down To Steamboat Tennessee
7. Sugar, That Sugar Baby Of Mine
Muggsy Spanier & his Orchestra / Ragtimers:
8. Little David, Play On Your Harp
9. Hesitating Blues
10. Two O'clock Jump
11. Weary Blues
12. Snag It!
13. Oh, Lady, Be Good!
14. September In The Rain
15. Memphis Blues
16. Rosetta
Muggsy Spanier & his Jazz Band:
17. Feather Brain Blues
18. Muggsy Special
19. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
20. Judy
21. Tin Roof Blues
The Hines-Spanier All Stars:
22. A Monday Date