(December 1st 1904 - November 28th 1972)

Born in New York, New York in December 1904, Jimmy Lytell would attain his first professional musical experience as a clarinetist with early jazz assemblies at age twelve. In 1921 he was a member of the "Original Indiana Five" followed by a stint with the "Original Memphis Five" from 1922 until 1925 during which time he also played with "Original Dixieland Jazz Band". From the late 1920's on Lytell began spending most of his time as an orchestra musician and recording artist and during this period started working for NBC Radio. Although his professional career eventually took him outside of the jazz realm in the early 1940's he managed to combine the two as musical director for "The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street".

Beginning in 1949 Lytell stated playing on and off with the "new" "Original Memphis Five" and in the late 1950's recorded as accompanist to Connee Boswell. In high demand for his formidable instrumental skills he appeared on record in abundance but as a leader only recorded eighteen sides between 1926 and 1928 and cut six others in 1950. Jimmy Lytell continued to perform publicly up until 1971 and died in Kings Point, New York on November 28th 1972.