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 351-375 of 506 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Edison 10975 10-in. 5/11/1926 I wonder what's become of Joe? Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11101 10-in. 7/15/1926 When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11102 10-in. 7/15/1926 To be with you Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11158 10-in. 8/10/1926 Up and at 'em Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11159 10-in. 8/10/1926 Looking at the world thru rose colored glasses Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11160 10-in. 8/11/1926 Me too Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11165 10-in. 8/12/1926 How many times? Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; John Ryan Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11166 10-in. 8/12/1926 Adorable Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; John Ryan Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11173 10-in. 8/31/1926 You need someone to love Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11174 10-in. 8/31/1926 Would-ja? Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11240 10-in. 10/7/1926 Lay me down to sleep in Carolina Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11241 10-in. 10/7/1926 All alone Monday Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11254 10-in. 10/24/1926 Sweet thing Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; Arthur Hall Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11255 10-in. 10/24/1926 Pretty Cinderella Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11360 10-in. 12/9/1926 Stockholm stomp Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11361 10-in. 12/9/1926 Sidewalk blues Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11537 10-in. 2/24/1927 Lonely eyes Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11538 10-in. 2/24/1927 Look at the world and smile Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11566 10-in. 3/10/1927 Crazy words—crazy tune (Vo-do-de-o) Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet Musical group  
Edison 11567 10-in. 3/10/1927 Ain't she sweet? Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11680 10-in. 5/3/1927 Yes she do, no she don't (I'm satisfied with my girl) Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; Jack Kaufman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11681 10-in. 5/3/1927 Hallelujah! Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11731 10-in. 6/13/1927 Beedle um bo Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; John Ryan Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11732 10-in. 6/13/1927 There's a trick in pickin' a chick-chick-chicken Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; Jack Kaufman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11798 10-in. 7/15/1927 (Who's wonderful, who's marvelous?) Miss Annabelle Lee Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
(Results 351-375 of 506 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "California Ramblers," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

California Ramblers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

"California Ramblers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.