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Dustin' The Donkey

Golden Gate Orchestra

Arnold Brilhart , Fred Cusick, Irving Brodsky , Jimmy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Red Nichols, Stan King , Tommy Dorsey , Tommy Felline

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Recorded in New York City on May 4th 1925 featuring Red Nichols and Frank Cush trumpets, Tommy Dorsey trombone, Jimmy Dorsey and Arnold Brilhart alto sax, Fred Cusick tenor sax, Irving Brodsky piano, Tommy Felline banjo, Adrian Rollini bass sax, and Stan King drums.

*"Dusting The Donkey" was composed by Howdy Quicksell.

This tune was recorded by the "California Ramblers" again two years later as "The Pay Off" (1927) after Adrian Rollini had left the group for a time in pursuit of his own inevitable solo career. It's nice indeed to hear "His" bass saxophone (undoubtedly the element missing from their more recent cut) on this earlier version.

In 1927 not only did Rollini resign from the "California Ramblers", he took a job heading up the talent roster for the opening of the Club New Yorker, and would become an unforgettable addition to many legendary recording sessions. His successor Spencer Clark would take his place on the later 1927 cut, but he was sure no Rollini !

Luckily Adrian agreed to rejoin the "Rambles" just in time to travel to London for a New Year's Eve engagement at the Savoy Hotel with "Fred Elizalde's Band". He decided to stay in England along with band-mates Chelsea Quealey, Tommy Felline, Jack Russin, and Bobby Davis; where they remained until September of 1928.
-Matt Chauvin