Zema Randale (1900-1918)
Last updated: 02.09.24
Perhaps because of her youth and early tragic death from diphtheria and certainly because of the popularity of her piano rolls which even today (2009) still enjoy a loyal following, Zema Randale has become a fascinating subject of interest and research among latter-day ragtimers. She was an important ragtime performer who cut a score or so of rolls for Imperial Player Roll Co., Chicago. Biographical details are sketchy and there is much conjecture. Ed Sprankle is said to have reproduced a photo of her, perhaps from a catalogue, showing a wonderful "spit curl" in the middle of her forehead. A recently located obituary notice revealed that her full name was Zema Randale Housholder and that she was mourned by her mother and brother.
For data housekeeping purposes she is listed in these webpages as the one-off composer of Mutilation Rag (1915).
For data housekeeping purposes she is listed in these webpages as the one-off composer of Mutilation Rag (1915).
| Websites: | |||
 |
Zema Randale | Biography and list of works by "Perfessor" Bill Edwards |
| Title | Co-Author(s) | Sequencer |
|---|
 |
Mutilation Rag (1915) | James Pitt-Payne |
| Title (Release Year) | Performers | Instruments |
|---|
 |
Mutilation Rag (1915) | Midi Ragtime Recorder Ens. | D/A/T/T/B/B/GB(B) |
| Performer | CD Title | Supplier |
|---|
| Ragtime Music CDs: | |||
 |
Nora Hulse | 24 Piano Rags by Women |  |
| Title | Attribution | Instruments | Source | Remarks |
|---|
 |
Mutilation Rag (1915) | Z. Randale (music) | Piano | IMSLP |  |
Below is a table of piano rolls which are credited to Zema Randale. It has been compiled from various Internet sources, principally from postings on Pianola (The Online Pianola Forum!) and others. Surfers are most welcome to fill-in the empty bits, add and/or correct!
1.*** Contributed by surfer Trudy (Schulze) Moffitt in October 2017: Thanks a lot Trudy!
Please note that all the midis given in the table above are copyrighted by WSTco, Inc. and that their commercial use prohibited.
| Midi | Cat. No. | Roll Title | Year | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial 52035 | Desecration (1914) | 1914 | Felix Arndt | |
| Imperial 958470 | Missouri Waltz | 1914 | Frederic Knight Logan | |
| Imperial 52703 | I Work Eight Hours | 1915 | Ted Snyder | |
| Imperial 53113 | Beets and Turnips | 1915 | Cliff Hess & Frederick Emil Ahlert | |
| Imperial 53154 | Mutilation Rag (1915) | 1915 | Zema Randale | |
| Imperial 57100-70 | Blue Danube Waltz | ? | Johann Strauss 1.*** | |
| Imperial 955270 | Keep The Home Fires Burning | 1915 | Ivor Novello | |
| Imperial 958120 | She Is The Sunshine Of Virginia | 1916 | MacDonald & Harry Carroll | |
| Imperial 9488 | Baby's Prayer At Twilight | 1917 | Lewis; Young & Jerome | |
| Imperial 9513 | Absence Brings You Nearer To My Heart | 1917 | Benedek & Solmon | |
| Imperial 58500 | When You Hear Jackson Moan On His Saxophone | 1917 | Harry Carroll | |
| Imperial 959270 | Where The Black Eyed Susans Grow | 1917 | Radford & Richard A. Whiting | |
| Imperial 53524 | Beatrice | Talmidge | ||
| Imperial 57350 | The Old Oaken Bucket | Kaillmark | ||
| Imperial 957340 | My Old Kentucky Home | Stephen Collins Foster | ||
| Imperial | Bugle Call Rag | |||
| Imperial | Listen To This | |||
| Imperial | Original Chicago Blues | |||
| Umbrellas To Mend |
Please note that all the midis given in the table above are copyrighted by WSTco, Inc. and that their commercial use prohibited.
This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 1 work by Zema Randale (1900-1918).
It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: ER
| Title | Year | Attribution | Remarks |
|---|
| Mutilation Rag | 1915 | Midi Ragtime Recorder Ensemble (perf.) | |