Jimmy Lytell

Jimmy Lytell (December 1, 1904 - November 28, 1972) was an American jazz clarinetist. Critic Scott Yanow described him as being "[o]ne of the most underrated clarinetists in jazz history".

Lytell (born James Sarrapede) had his first professional work at age twelve, and by the beginning of the 1920s he was recording in jazz ensembles. He played in the Original Indiana Five in 1921 and the Original Memphis Five in 1922–1925, and also played in the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1922–1924. After the 1920s, he rarely performed in jazz settings, spending more time as a studio and orchestra musician. He worked as a staff musician for NBC during this time, and in Johnny Green's orchestra in 1934–1935. From 1949 into the late 1950s, he appeared in the New Original Memphis Five revival band, and recorded with Connee Boswell in 1956. He continued to perform until a year before his death. As a leader, he recorded eighteen titles in 1926–1928 and six more for London Records in 1950.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 1, 1904, Died November 28, 1972

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926 - 1950

Roles Represented in DAHR: clarinet, tenor saxophone, saxophone, alto saxophone, composer, leader

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 137 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 67422 10-in. 3/28/1940 I wish I had died in my cradle Donald King instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67559 10-in. 4/16/1940 The guy needs a gal Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67560 10-in. 4/16/1940 The gang that sang Heart of my heart Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68353 10-in. 11/15/1940 Jivin' the Missouri waltz Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68354 10-in. 11/15/1940 Beale Street Mama Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68355 10-in. 11/15/1940 Whatcha know, Joe ? Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68356 10-in. 11/15/1940 Stayin' at home Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68408 10-in. 11/28/1940 Oh! How I hate to get up in the morning Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68409 10-in. 11/28/1940 San Antonio Rose Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68410 10-in. 11/28/1940 I am a Canadian Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68411 10-in. 11/28/1940 Oh, they're making me all over in the Army Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68412 10-in. 11/28/1940 I used to love you Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68563 10-in. 1/9/1941 So you're the one Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68564 10-in. 1/9/1941 My Greenwich Village Sue Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68565 10-in. 1/9/1941 Go home, little girl, go home Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 68566 10-in. 1/9/1941 Many happy returns of the day Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69077 10-in. 4/29/1941 I dreamt I dwelt in Harlem Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69078 10-in. 4/29/1941 Because of you Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69079 10-in. 4/29/1941 Jelly, jelly Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69080 10-in. 4/29/1941 You might have belonged to another Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69166 10-in. 5/9/1941 Be honest with me Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69167 10-in. 5/9/1941 Just a little bit South of North Carolina Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69168 10-in. 5/9/1941 G'bye now Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69169 10-in. 5/9/1941 Goodbye, dear, I'll be back in a year Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69542 10-in. 7/22/1941 Twenty-one dollars a day, once a month-1 Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
(Results 26-50 of 137 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lytell, Jimmy," accessed April 24, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

Lytell, Jimmy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

"Lytell, Jimmy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741

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