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 1-25 of 506 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-92971 10-in. 8/14/1935 Rhythm and romance California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92972 10-in. 8/14/1935 Without a word of warning California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92973 10-in. 8/14/1935 From the top of your head (To the tip of your toes) California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92974 10-in. 8/14/1935 The simple things in life California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92975 10-in. 8/14/1935 Just we two (In our little canoe) California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92976 10-in. 8/14/1935 When Gimble hits the cymbal California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92977 10-in. 8/14/1935 It's my night to howl California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92978 10-in. 8/14/1935 What a night, what a moon, what a girl The Little Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-92979 10-in. 8/14/1935 The white star of Sigma Nu California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95527 10-in. 10/19/1935 You let me down California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95528 10-in. 10/19/1935 Now you've got me doing it California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95529 10-in. 10/19/1935 Thunder over paradise California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95530 10-in. 10/19/1935 You stayed away too long California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95531 10-in. 10/19/1935 Santa Claus is comin' to town California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95532 10-in. 10/19/1935 Where am I? (Am I in heaven?) California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95533 10-in. 10/19/1935 Broadway rhythm California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95534 10-in. 10/19/1935 I'd rather listen to your eyes California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-95535 10-in. 10/19/1935 Here's to romance California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98094 10-in. 11/20/1935 How do I rate with you? California Ramblers ; Joan Hope Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98153 10-in. 11/26/1935 With all my heart California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98154 10-in. 11/26/1935 A beautiful lady in blue California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98155 10-in. 11/26/1935 I feel like a feather in the breeze California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98156 10-in. 11/26/1935 I'll never forget I love you California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98491 10-in. 1/6/1936 So this is heaven California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98492 10-in. 1/6/1936 If I should lose you California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
(Results 1-25 of 506 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "California Ramblers," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

California Ramblers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

"California Ramblers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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