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Sidney Bechet

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #146: Four Or Five Times

17.12.2012 by Chris

This is the third time I'm featuring “Four Or Five Times”, one of my all-time favorite songs. This version sounds differently, though.

Listen yourself:

Four Or Five Times

Personnel: Muggsy Spanier – trumpet, Sidney Bechet – soprano sax, Carmen Mastren – guitar, Wellman Braud – bass.

Muggsy Spanier

Francis Joseph Julian “Muggsy” Spanier (Nov. 9, 1906 – Feb. 12, 1967) was a solid cornet player cultivating the Dixieland style. Some say he was a bit predictable but always enthusiastic and expressive.

He started playing the drums, switching to cornet at age 13. Two years later, he started playing professionally. His style was influenced by King Oliver and Louis Armstrong.

In the 1920s, he was part of the Chicago jazz scene, then he played with Ted Lewis for seven years (1929-1936), before joining Ben Pollack‘s big band from 1936-1938.

He became seriously ill and had to stay in hospital for three months. After recovering, he formed his octet, the Ragtimers. They recorded 16 sides in 1939. The band was set up too early, although they inspired the Dixieland revival a few years later, they didn't get enough jobs.

Spanier joined Bob Crosby‘s orchestra in 1940 and one year later, he led his own big band during 1941-1943. After breaking up the band, he spent the rest of his career in Dixieland settings, mostly as a leader.


[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B000R00K58″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/612uDAPXZHL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B000QOLR3E” locale=”us”]Four Or Five Times[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Muggsy Spanier feat. Sidney Bechet
Recorded: 1940
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B000R00K58″ locale=”us”]All Star Jazz Quartets 1928-1940 – Disc A[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 116 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



Click the link to download the song at
iTunes EU ・ iTunes US ・ [easyazon-link asin=”B001S75RH0″ locale=”de”]Amazon DE[/easyazon-link] ・ [easyazon-link asin=”B000QOLR3E” locale=”us”]Amazon US[/easyazon-link] ・ [easyazon-link asin=”B001GJ0BYE” locale=”uk”]Amazon UK[/easyazon-link] ・ emusic


What do you think about this version? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

Related Songs:

Song of the Week #145: “Organ Grinder's Swing” by The Mills Brothers
Song of the Week #144: “Swingin' In The Promised Land” by Edgar Hayes
Song of the Week #143: “Splanky” by George Gee Swing Orchestra
Song of the Week #142: “Zormpas' Story” by The Speakeasies' Swing Band!
Song of the Week #141: “Summit Ridge Drive” by Billy Jack Wills & His Western Swing Band

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: DJ Chrisbe, King Oliver, Lindy Hop, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, Sidney Bechet

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #94: Petite Fleur

19.12.2011 by Chris

During this week, my son will celebrate his first birthday! I dedicate this Song of the Week to him. Petite Fleur means “Little Flower” and I think, it suits perfectly to him.

This beautiful and sentimental song was composed by Sidney Bechet, my personal king of the soprano saxophone. He recorded it several times in the fifties with different formations.

After performing as a soloist at the Salle Pleyel Jazz Festival in Paris, Bechet decided to move to France in 1950 where he spent the rest of his life. There he was a major celebrity and national hero.

Before his death from lung cancer in 1959 at age 62, he was playing many concerts and recordings, and from time to time he went back to visit the U.S.

Now sit back and enjoy “Petite Fleur”…

…there is nothing more to add!


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week: "Petite Fleur" by Sidney Bechet | Shuffle Projects Title: Petite Fleur
Artist: Sidney Bechet
Recorded: 1952 (?)
Album: Vive La France
Tempo: 94 bpm
Dance: Blues



Click the link to prelisten and/or download the song at
iTunes CH/EU
— iTunes US — Amazon.de — Amazon.com


Do you have a story with this song? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

Sign up now for DJ Chrisbe's free resources emails for
more music tips and swing DJ resources!

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #43: “Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives To Me” by Sidney Bechet and His Hot Six
Song of the Week #93: “Moonglow (Take 2)” by Benny Goodman Quartet
Song of the Week #92: “Little Sir Echo” by Rex Stewart & Dickie Wells
Song of the Week #91: “‘Tain’t What You Do” by Jimmie Lunceford
Song of the Week #90: “Stompin’ At The Riverside” by Spade Cooley


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Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Blues, DJ Chrisbe, Sidney Bechet

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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