Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Tag: Little Ramblers

  • “Prince of Wails” – Little Ramblers (1924) 💯🎂

    “Prince of Wails” – Little Ramblers (1924) 💯🎂

    While working on the transfer of this Little Ramblers record, I noticed that it was recorded exactly 100 years ago today!

    The Little Ramblers was a small combo made up of members of the California Ramblers. This “band within a band” was one of many that the Ramblers and manager Ed Kirkleby cooked up to record more records for more labels without breaking any contract agreements. The Little Ramblers, the Vagabonds, the Goofus Five, the Five Birmingham Babies and the Kentucky Blowers In the last six months of 1924 collectively made more records in total than the California Ramblers did!

    The offshoot bands often played hotter and were jazzier. On this Elmer Schoebel tune, the gang lets loose with “wailing” solos – getting progressively more heated until the frantic ensemble-driven climax.

    Recorded in New York City on November 14, 1924.
    Released as Columbia 248-D.

    Credits:
    Bill Moore – trumpet
    Bobby Davis – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
    Adrian Rollini – bass sax
    Irving Brodsky – piano
    Tommy Felline – banjo
    Stan King – drums, kazoo

  • “Those Panama Mammas” – Little Ramblers (1924) 💯🎂

    “Those Panama Mammas” – Little Ramblers (1924) 💯🎂

    While working on the transfer of this Little Ramblers record, I noticed that it was recorded exactly 100 years ago today!

    The Little Ramblers was a small combo made up of members of the California Ramblers. This “band within a band” was one of many that the Ramblers and manager Ed Kirkleby cooked up to record more records for more labels without breaking any contract agreements. The Little Ramblers, the Vagabonds, the Goofus Five, the Five Birmingham Babies and the Kentucky Blowers In the last six months of 1924 collectively made more records in total than the California Ramblers did!

    The offshoot bands often played hotter and were jazzier. Of this recording, Ate Van Delden writes (in his biography of Adrian Rollini): “It shows that the group had fully mastered playing at breakneck speed and all the soloists had developed into jazz men.”

    Recorded in New York City on November 14, 1924.
    Released as Columbia 248-D.

    Credits:
    Bill Moore – trumpet
    Bobby Davis – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
    Adrian Rollini – bass sax
    Irving Brodsky – piano
    Tommy Felline – banjo
    Stan King – drums, kazoo