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: 1924 - 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 153 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Gennett 8872 10-in. 5/7/1924 Oh baby (Don't say no, say maybe) Bailey's Lucky Seven Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Gennett 8873 10-in. 5/7/1924 Oriental love dreams Bailey's Lucky Seven Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Gennett 8874 10-in. 5/7/1924 Never again Bailey's Lucky Seven Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Gennett 8906 10-in. 5/28/1924 Wait'll you see my girl Bailey's Lucky Seven Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Gennett 8907 10-in. 5/28/1924 I can't get the one I want Bailey's Lucky Seven Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Gennett 8908 10-in. 5/28/1924 Maytime Bailey's Lucky Seven Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
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  
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  
(Results 26-50 of 153 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lytell, Jimmy," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

Lytell, Jimmy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

"Lytell, Jimmy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741

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