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 376-400 of 506 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Edison 11799 10-in. 7/15/1927 When Erastus plays his old kazoo Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11861 10-in. 8/26/1927 Dawning Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11862 10-in. 8/26/1927 You don't like it—not much Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11897 10-in. 9/19/1927 Blue river Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11916 10-in. 9/27/1927 Clementine (From New Orleans) Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 11924 10-in. 9/30/1927 Nothin' does-does like it used to do-do-do Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 11925 10-in. 9/30/1927 I'm wonderin' who Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18033 10-in. 11/16/1927 Make my cot where the cot-cot-cotton grows Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18034 10-in. 11/16/1927 Tell me, little Daisy Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 18085 10-in. 12/6/1927 For my baby Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 18137 10-in. 12/28/1927 Mine—all mine Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 18138 10-in. 12/29/1927 The pay off Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18198 10-in. 1/27/1928 I ain't got nobody (And nobody cares for me) Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18199 10-in. 1/27/1928 Third rail Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18267 10-in. 2/29/1928 One more night McAlpineers Jazz/dance band, with vocal Musical group  
Edison 18268 10-in. 2/29/1928 Persian rug McAlpineers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18354 10-in. 3/31/1928 Rhapsody in rhythm McAlpineers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18355 10-in. 3/31/1928 Red hot McAlpineers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 18624 10-in. 7/21/1928 That's my weakness now 7 Blue Babies ; Jack Kaufman Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18625 10-in. 7/21/1928 Butternut 7 Blue Babies ; Jack Kaufman Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18629 10-in. 7/21/1928 ('Cause I feel) Low down Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18630 10-in. 7/24/1928 Dream house Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18636 10-in. 7/25/1928 I'm on the crest of a wave McAlpineers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Edison 18637 10-in. 7/25/1928 Out of the dawn McAlpineers ; Roy Rogers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Edison 18688 10-in. 8/29/1928 Vaniteaser Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; Ed Kirkeby Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
(Results 376-400 of 506 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "California Ramblers," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

California Ramblers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

"California Ramblers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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