Abe Lyman, born Abraham Simon on August 4, 1897, in Chicago, Illinois, was a prominent jazz musician and bandleader known for his work from the 1920s through the 1940s. He grew up in an Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant family and began his musical career at a young age, playing drums in a Chicago café by age 14. In 1918, he moved to Los Angeles, where he played at the Vernon Country Club and later formed his own band, which became a staple at the Sunset Inn, a nightclub operated by his brother Mike Lyman.

Abe Lyman's Orchestra gained significant popularity, particularly after their successful engagement at the Cocoanut Grove in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on April 1, 1922. His band was known for its dance music and jazz performances, touring Europe in 1929 and appearing in early sound films such as "Hold Everything" and "Madam Satan" in 1930. Lyman's orchestra also recorded soundtracks for the Merrie Melodies cartoon series in 1931.

Throughout his career, Lyman's orchestra recorded prolifically with several major labels, including Brunswick, Decca, Victor, and Columbia. His band was a fixture on radio shows like "Your Hit Parade" and "Waltz Time," and they frequently performed live in prestigious venues such as Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

Lyman retired from the music industry in 1949 and transitioned to the restaurant business, working with his brother William. He passed away on October 23, 1957, in Beverly Hills, California, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the jazz and dance band scenes of his era. His contributions to music were celebrated by contemporaries and fans alike, and his recordings continue to be appreciated by jazz enthusiasts.