The Little Ramblers

The original Little Ramblers were an offshoot of the better-known jazz combo the California Ramblers, who ranked among the most successful white dance bands of the 1920s. Like their namesake, the Little Ramblers also included bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini as well as the famed Dorsey brothers, Tommy and Jimmy; the same lineup also recorded under a variety of other names, including the Goofus Five and the Vagabonds. This description applies to the group that recorded more than 25 titles for Columbia between July 1924 and July 1928. The next incarnation of the Little Ramblers cut about 20 sides for Victor's Bluebird imprint between July 1935 and January 1936. Although there was some slight residual participation by former Ramblers such as Tommy Dorsey, this was a much more modern-sounding swing band which in some cases included several African-American musicians, such as Harlem session trumpeter and vocalist Ward Pinkett, clarinetist Albert Nicholas, and guitarist Danny Barker. The main link between these two very different ensembles, and the guiding force behind the Little Ramblers of the mid-'30s, was Adrian Rollini, who gradually expanded his multi-instrumental range to include the piano and the vibraphone. ~ Jason Ankeny & arwulf arwulf, Rovi