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 1-25 of 137 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-37188 10-in. 12/28/1926 A blues serenade The Original Memphis Five Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-017411 10-in. 11/24/1937 Autopsy on Schubert Rhythmasters ; Larry Wagner Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022437 10-in. 4/13/1938 Oh! Ma-ma! (The butcher boy) Connecticut Yankees ; Gentlemen Songsters ; Red Stanley ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-022438 10-in. 4/13/1938 Lonesome—that's all Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-057024 10-in. 10/24/1940 Wrap your dreams in the red, white and blue Rose Blane ; Californians ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and vocal trio instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-057025 10-in. 10/24/1940 Johny Peddler (I got) Rose Blane ; Californians ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-057026 10-in. 10/24/1940 Three at a table for two Californians ; Eddie Holly ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-057027 10-in. 10/24/1940 He's my uncle Rose Blane ; Californians ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-058100 10-in. 11/27/1940 Maria Elena Californians ; Bob Hannon ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-058101 10-in. 11/27/1940 Moon over America Californians ; Eddie Holly ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-058102 10-in. 11/27/1940 How did he look Californians ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-058103 10-in. 11/27/1940 You're in the Army now Californians ; Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Columbia 143337 10-in. 1/21/1927 A blues serenade The Emperors Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick E6112-E6114 10-in. 6/22/1927 A blues serenade Frank Signorelli Piano solo composer  
Brunswick E7204-E7205 10-in. 3/19/1928 A blues serenade The Original Memphis Five Jazz/dance band composer  
Decca 63230 10-in. 1/31/1938 Marie, ah Marie Al Duffy Four instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 63231 10-in. 1/31/1938 Funiculi, funicula Al Duffy Four instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 63232 10-in. 1/31/1938 Ciribiribin Al Duffy Four instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 63233 10-in. 1/31/1938 La Espagnola Al Duffy Four instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67217 10-in. 2/20/1940 Row, row, row Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67275 10-in. 3/8/1940 The wreck of the Old '97 Dick Robertson instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67418 10-in. 3/28/1940 Ain't you ashamed? Donald King instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67419 10-in. 3/28/1940 Little girl Donald King instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67420 10-in. 3/28/1940 If I could be with you one hour tonight Donald King instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 67421 10-in. 3/28/1940 I want a girl just like the girl that married Dear Old Dad Donald King instrumentalist, clarinet  
(Results 1-25 of 137 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lytell, Jimmy," accessed March 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

Lytell, Jimmy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

"Lytell, Jimmy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.