Jimmy Lytell, born James Sarrapede on December 1, 1904, in New York, NY, was an American jazz clarinetist renowned for his swinging style, although he remained relatively underrated throughout his career. He began his professional music career at the age of 12 and became a prominent figure in early jazz ensembles. In 1921, he played with the Original Indiana Five and subsequently joined the Original Memphis Five from 1922 to 1925, recording extensively with them. During the same period, he also played with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band from 1922 to 1924.

After the 1920s, Lytell transitioned to studio and orchestra work, becoming a staff musician for NBC and performing with Johnny Green's orchestra in 1934-1935. He served as the musical director for "The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street" in the early 1940s. From 1949 into the late 1950s, Lytell was part of the New Original Memphis Five revival band and recorded with Connee Boswell in 1956. As a bandleader, he recorded 18 songs between 1926 and 1928 and six more for London Records in 1950. Lytell continued to perform publicly until 1971, a year before his death on November 28, 1972, in Kings Point, NY.