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 201-225 of 506 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 145733 10-in. 3/5/1928 The pay-off The Westerners Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 145772 10-in. 3/16/1928 Speedy boy Jack Kaufman ; University Six Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 145773 10-in. 3/16/1928 She's the sweetheart of six other guys Jack Kaufman ; University Six Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W145774 10-in. 3/16/1928 There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight Jack Kaufman Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W145775 10-in. 3/16/1928 Yip-i-addy-i-ay! Jack Kaufman Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W146284 10-in. 4/30/1928 Adorée California Ramblers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W146285 10-in. 4/30/1928 Whisper sweet and whisper low California Ramblers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146300 10-in. 5/16/1928 My pet The Westerners Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146301 10-in. 5/16/1928 Chilly pom pom pee University Six Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146302 10-in. 5/16/1928 C-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-i-n-o-p-l-e University Six Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W146438 10-in. 6/13/1928 Ev'ry night in the week California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W146439 10-in. 6/13/1928 You're just a great big baby doll California Ramblers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet Musical group  
Columbia 146590 10-in. 6/28/1928 Every night in the week Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146591 10-in. 6/28/1928 Don't cry, baby California Ramblers ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] ; Jerry White Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146592 10-in. 6/28/1928 Dusky stevedore Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146780 10-in. 7/23/1928 Ready for the river Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146781 10-in. 7/23/1928 Cause I feel low-down Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146782 10-in. 7/23/1928 Bless you! Sister Si Higgins and his Sodbusters [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W146818 10-in. 7/27/1928 Bless you! Sister California Ramblers Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio Musical group  
Columbia W146820 10-in. 7/27/1928 Who wouldn't be blue? California Ramblers Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio Musical group  
Columbia 146868 10-in. 8/21/1928 Vaniteaser Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146869 10-in. 8/21/1928 'Round evening Barney Trimble and his Oklahomans [California Ramblers] ; Robert Wood Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146870 10-in. 8/21/1928 All of the time Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146932 10-in. 8/30/1928 Take your to-morrow (And give me to-day) Jim Andrews ; Arthur Ross and his Westerners Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 146933 10-in. 8/31/1928 High up on a hill top Jim Andrews ; Arthur Ross and his Westerners Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
(Results 201-225 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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