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 151-153 of 153 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 90875 10-in. 9/19/1936 T'ain't a fit night out for man and beast Dixie Demons, The instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 90876 10-in. 9/19/1936 The preacher and the bear Dixie Demons, The instrumentalist, clarinet  
Decca 90877 10-in. 9/19/1936 Man, man, what a band Dixie Demons, The instrumentalist, clarinet  
(Results 151-153 of 153 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lytell, Jimmy," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

Lytell, Jimmy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109741.

"Lytell, Jimmy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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