Biography

Hailing from Springfield, Ohio, Lytle began his career as a drummer, performing alongside notable artists such as Ray Charles and Gene Ammons. However, in 1955, he made a career shift, embracing the vibraphone as his new instrument. Five years later, Lytle's solo career took off when renowned record producer Orrin Keepnews signed him to Jazzland, an imprint of the Riverside label. Lytle’s playing initially demonstrated a hard bop style, but his playing completely changed in the 1970s, as he began infusing elements of progressive jazz and funk into his playing. Lionel Hampton dubbed Lytle one of "the greatest vibes player in the world." Lytle's innovative approach to the instrument continues to leave a mark on the jazz community.