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 51-75 of 514 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 81171 10-in. 8/8/1923 Louisville California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81172 10-in. 8/9/1923 That big blonde mamma California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81189 10-in. 9/4/1923 You've simply got me cuckoo California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81190 10-in. 9/4/1923 If I can't get the sweetie I want California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81219 10-in. 9/18/1923 Sittin' in a corner California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81220 10-in. 9/18/1923 Tell all the folks in Kentucky California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81270 10-in. 10/8/1923 You darling you California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81271 10-in. 10/8/1923 Melancholy California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81286 10-in. 10/17/1923 Moonlight kisses California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81287 10-in. 10/17/1923 What do you do Sunday, Mary? California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81354 10-in. 11/15/1923 Arcady California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81355 10-in. 11/15/1923 Roamin' to Wyomin' California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81362 10-in. 11/17/1923 Rememb'ring California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81363 10-in. 11/17/1923 Kaintucky California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81367 10-in. 11/21/1923 Linger awhile California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81490 10-in. 1/17/1924 Cover me up with the sunshine of Virginia California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81491 10-in. 1/17/1924 California, here I come California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81504 10-in. 1/28/1924 Dream daddy California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81505 10-in. 1/28/1924 Hula Lou California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81519 10-in. 2/1/1924 Take a little one step California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81520 10-in. 2/1/1924 You're in Kentucky sure as you're born California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81568 10-in. 2/15/1924 On such a night California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81574 10-in. 2/18/1924 Two blue eyes California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81639 10-in. 3/10/1924 Lazy California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 81640 10-in. 3/10/1924 I must have company California Ramblers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
(Results 51-75 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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