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 101-125 of 506 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W140603 10-in. 5/14/1925 Sweet Georgia Brown California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W140673 10-in. 7/9/1925 Sonya (Yup, alay yup!) California Ramblers ; Billy Jones Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W140674 10-in. 7/9/1925 I'm gonna Charleston back to Charleston California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W140879 10-in. 8/28/1925 Moon deer California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W140880 10-in. 8/28/1925 I'm in love with you California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140961 10-in. 9/18/1925 Desdemona University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140962 10-in. 9/18/1925 The camel walk University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 140963 10-in. 9/18/1925 She was just a sailor's sweetheart Arthur Hall ; University Six Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 141304 10-in. 11/24/1925 Fallin' down University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 141305 10-in. 11/24/1925 Smile a little bit University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 141306 10-in. 11/24/1925 Then I'll be happy University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 141339 10-in. 12/1/1925 In your green hat University Six Jazz/dance band, with vocal ensemble Musical group  
Columbia 141340 10-in. 12/1/1925 Dustin' the donkey University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 141341 10-in. 12/1/1925 I love my baby University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W141350 10-in. 12/4/1925 Then I'll be happy California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W141351 10-in. 12/4/1925 Smile a little bit California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W141352 10-in. 12/4/1925 Dreaming of a castle in the air California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W141355 10-in. 12/5/1925 Show me the way to go home California Ramblers Jazz/dance band, with vocal ensemble Musical group  
Columbia W141821 10-in. 3/18/1926 I'd climb the highest mountain if I knew I'd find you California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W141822 10-in. 3/18/1926 Under the ukulele tree California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 141838 10-in. 3/23/1926 Georgianna Arthur Fields ; University Six Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 141839 10-in. 3/23/1926 What a man Arthur Fields ; University Six Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 141840 10-in. 3/23/1926 Sittin' around University Six Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W141994 10-in. 4/21/1926 Give me today California Ramblers ; Arthur Hall Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W141995 10-in. 4/21/1926 No foolin' California Ramblers ; Arthur Hall Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
(Results 101-125 of 506 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "California Ramblers," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

California Ramblers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

"California Ramblers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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