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