California Ramblers

The California Ramblers were an American jazz group that recorded hundreds of songs for many different record labels throughout the 1920s. Four members of the band – Red Nichols, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, and Adrian Rollini – went on to front big bands in later decades.

The band was formed in 1921 by banjoist Ray Kitchenman. Its members were from Ohio but chose the name California Ramblers. The band was instantly successful and were one of the most prolific recording groups in the 1920s.

In late 1924 the Ramblers signed a contract with Columbia Records and then, in conjunction with their manager Ed Kirkeby, agreed to waive all royalties to Columbia for the right to record for other companies under pseudonyms. They recorded for nearly every independent label in the U.S., Canada, and the UK, using over 100 unique aliases, Including The Golden Gate Orchestra, Varsity Eight, Stokers of Hades, and The Goofus Washboards.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1920

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1921 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

Notes: Known as the Merry Melody Men prior to 1921. Name frequently appears as Golden Gate Orchestra; other pseudonyms include Jerry Mason and his Californians, the Little Ramblers, the University Six, and the Louisiana Collegians.

See Also: Golden Gate Orchestra; California Ramblers; University Six and the California Rambler

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-100 of 506 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 81699 10-in. 4/18/1924 Shine California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81700 10-in. 4/18/1924 It had to be you California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81800 10-in. 6/3/1924 You know me, Alabam' California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81801 10-in. 6/3/1924 Where the dreamy Wabash flows California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81852 10-in. 6/30/1924 Please California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81853 10-in. 6/30/1924 Charleston cabin California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81856 10-in. 6/30/1924 Big boy! California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81877 10-in. 7/18/1924 Charley, my boy California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81898 10-in. 8/7/1924 I want to be happy California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81899 10-in. 8/7/1924 Susquehanna home California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140074 10-in. 9/23/1924 Back where the daffodils grow California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140075 10-in. 9/23/1924 When I was the dandy and you were the belle California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140077 10-in. 10/2/1924 Eliza California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140078 10-in. 10/2/1924 I want to see my Tennessee California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140115 10-in. 10/23/1924 Copenhagen California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140116 10-in. 10/23/1924 Gotta getta girl California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140177 10-in. 12/13/1924 Oh Mabel! California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140178 10-in. 12/20/1924 Me and the boy friend California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140220 10-in. 1/5/1925 Where's my sweetie hiding? California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140221 10-in. 1/5/1925 Why couldn't it be poor little me? California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140368 10-in. 1/28/1925 Oh, lady be good! California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140369 10-in. 1/28/1925 Swanee butterfly California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W140457 10-in. 3/23/1925 Just a little drink California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W140458 10-in. 3/23/1925 Dromedary California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W140602 10-in. 5/14/1925 Ev'rything is hotsy totsy now California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
(Results 76-100 of 506 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "California Ramblers," accessed May 2, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

California Ramblers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

"California Ramblers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586

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