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 51-75 of 137 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 69543 10-in. 7/22/1941 Answer to you are my sunshine Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69544 10-in. 7/22/1941 I'm alone because I love you Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69545 10-in. 7/22/1941 What's the good of moonlight Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69561 10-in. 7/24/1941 You done lost your good thing now Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69562 10-in. 7/24/1941 Cheatin' on me Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69563 10-in. 7/24/1941 Foo-gee Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69564 10-in. 7/24/1941 You should live so long Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69589 10-in. 7/31/1941 Got a letter from my kid today Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69649 10-in. 8/19/1941 Wedding bells Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69650 10-in. 8/19/1941 Till we meet again Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69651 10-in. 8/19/1941 I don't want to set the world on fire Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69652 10-in. 8/19/1941 You gotta quit cheatin' on me Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69653 10-in. 8/19/1941 Uncle Eph's got the coon Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69836 10-in. 10/18/1941 Under the mistletoe Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69837 10-in. 10/18/1941 The only thing I want for Christmas Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69859 10-in. 10/23/1941 Honey dear Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69860 10-in. 10/23/1941 I was a fool to let you go Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69861 10-in. 10/23/1941 Mama long and tall Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 69862 10-in. 10/23/1941 If money grew on trees Erskine Butterfield and his Blue Boys instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 70020 10-in. 12/9/1941 Walking the floor over you Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 70021 10-in. 12/9/1941 When the old wedding ring was new Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 70022 10-in. 12/9/1941 Daddy, you've been a mother to me Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 70023 10-in. 12/9/1941 I had someone else before I had you Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 70061 10-in. 12/16/1941 I may stay away a little longer Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 70062 10-in. 12/16/1941 We did it before (and we can do it again) Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet  
(Results 51-75 of 137 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lytell, Jimmy," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

Lytell, Jimmy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

"Lytell, Jimmy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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