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 26-50 of 514 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-98493 10-in. 1/6/1936 Hypnotized California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98494 10-in. 1/6/1936 Can't we dream a midsummer night's dream? California Ramblers ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98495 10-in. 1/6/1936 Cling to me California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98649 10-in. 1/17/1936 Life begins when you're in love California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98650 10-in. 1/17/1936 Gotta go to work again California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98651 10-in. 1/17/1936 It's been so long California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-98652 10-in. 1/17/1936 Sing an old fashioned song (To a young sophisticated lady) California Ramblers ; Eddie Lloyd Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-021819 10-in. 3/25/1938 Cry, baby, cry California Ramblers ; Myron Hanley ; Kay Ray Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-021820 10-in. 3/25/1938 Little Lady Make Believe California Ramblers ; Myron Hanley ; Rhythm Quads Jazz/dance band, with vocal quartet Musical group  
Victor BS-021821 10-in. 3/25/1938 Two shadows California Ramblers ; Myron Hanley ; Kay Ray Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-021822 10-in. 3/25/1938 College humor California Ramblers ; Myron Hanley ; Rhythm Quads Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet Musical group  
Victor BS-021823 10-in. 3/25/1938 (I'm glad) I waited for you California Ramblers ; Myron Hanley Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BS-021824 10-in. 3/25/1938 Stolen heaven California Ramblers ; Myron Hanley Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor [Trial 1921-12-15-03] 10-in. 12/15/1921 Tuck me to sleep Eva Shirley Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor [Trial 1925-10-07-01] 10-in. 10/7/1925 Dusting the donkey California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor [Trial 1925-10-07-02] 10-in. 10/7/1925 Sweet man California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 80126 10-in. 12/29/1921 Smilin' California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 80136 10-in. 1/16/1922 Bow wow blues California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 80227 10-in. 3/3/1922 Honey Lou California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 80231 10-in. 3/9/1922 Bygones California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 80326 10-in. 4/28/1922 Swanee blue bird California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 80327 10-in. 4/28/1922 No use crying (if your sweetheart goes away) California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81129 10-in. 7/12/1923 My sweetie went away California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81130 10-in. 7/12/1923 I love me California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81159 10-in. 8/2/1923 That old gang of mine California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
(Results 26-50 of 514 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "California Ramblers," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

California Ramblers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586.

"California Ramblers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110586

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