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 51-75 of 153 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69167 10-in. 5/9/1941 Just a little bit South of North Carolina Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69168 10-in. 5/9/1941 G'bye now Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69169 10-in. 5/9/1941 Goodbye, dear, I'll be back in a year Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69542 10-in. 7/22/1941 Twenty-one dollars a day, once a month-1 Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69543 10-in. 7/22/1941 Answer to you are my sunshine Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69544 10-in. 7/22/1941 I'm alone because I love you Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69545 10-in. 7/22/1941 What's the good of moonlight Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
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, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 69649 10-in. 8/19/1941 Wedding bells Dick Robertson Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
(Results 51-75 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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