Lowell Crystal was born into a family of musicians, making him the third generation of that lineage. His grandfather, Abraham Koodlach, played the violin and iola professionally and became a world famous luthier of violins, violas and cellos, as did his uncle, Benjamin Koodlach. His mother, Clara Koodlach Crystal was a oncert pianist and teacher. The fourth generation of this lineage, is his daughter, Nori Tatiana Crystal, a professional violinist.