Leon René
Leon René (February 6, 1902 – May 30, 1982) was an American music composer of pop, R&B and rock and roll songs and a record producer in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. He sometimes used the songwriting pseudonym Jimmy Thomas or Jimmie Thomas. He also established several record labels. |
Birth and Death Data: Born Covington (city in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States), Died May 30, 1982 (Los Angeles (seat of Los Angeles County, and largest city in California, United States) )
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1970
Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter, composer, vocalist, lyricist, director, piano
Notes: Leon René was brother of Otis René. Sometimes credited as Jimmie Thomas.
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | PBVE-68382 | 10-in. | 8/19/1932 | I'm Mr. African | Leon René Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | PBVE-68383 | 10-in. | 8/19/1932 | My home | Leon René Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, piano, director, songwriter | |
| Victor | PBVE-68391 | 10-in. | 9/17/1932 | I'm gonna pack my grip | Leon René Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | BVE-70611 | 10-in. | 10/4/1931 | When it's sleepy time down South | Mildred Bailey ; King's Jesters ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal trio | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-74820 | 10-in. | 12/8/1932 | That's my home | Louis Armstrong Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with trumpet solo and male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | CS-74878 | 12-in. | 12/21/1932 | Medley of Armstrong hits | Louis Armstrong Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and trumpet solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | LBS-74879 | 10-in. (33-1/3 rpm) | 12/21/1932 | Medley of Armstrong hits | Louis Armstrong Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and trumpet solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBS-97206 | 10-in. | 12/31/1935 | Dusty road | Nelson Eddy ; Nathaniel Shilkret | Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBVE-1306 | 10-in. | 10/14/1931 | Sleepy time down South | Phil Harris | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBS-09577 | 10-in. | 7/7/1937 | When it's sleepy time down South | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-022118 | 10-in. | 4/4/1938 | Sleepy time down South | Vernon Geyer ; Bill Radebaugh | Organ solo, with piano, vibraphone, and male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-047360 | 10-in. | 3/4/1940 | When it's sleepy time down South | Louis Armstrong Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and trumpet solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-050844 | 10-in. | 5/22/1940 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano | Larry Clinton Orchestra ; Helen Southern | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer, lyricist | |
| Victor | BS-050881 | 10-in. | 5/27/1940 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano | Dinah Shore ; Xavier Cugat Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer, lyricist | |
| Victor | BS-050892 | 10-in. | 5/29/1940 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano | Dick Todd | Male vocal solo, with male vocal trio and jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Victor | BS-053130 | 10-in. | 6/13/1940 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano | Ray Eberle ; Glenn Miller Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, lyricist | |
| Victor | BS-055507 | 10-in. | 8/9/1940 | Golondrinas de Capistrano | Marimba Pan-Americana ; Jorge Negrete | Marimba band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-057051 | 10-in. | 10/29/1940 | Chapel in the valley | Kenny Baker | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-058807 | 10-in. | 12/27/1940 | Chapel in the valley | Ray Eberle ; Glenn Miller Orchestra | Jazz/dance band with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBS-061927 | 10-in. | 11/24/1941 | Someone's rocking my dreamboat | Four King Sisters ; Rhythm Reys | Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBS-061954 | 10-in. | 12/10/1941 | Someone's rocking my dreamboat | Eddie Beal Trio ; Four Tones | Vocal quartet, with jazz/dance trio | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBS-061955 | 10-in. | 12/10/1941 | Goodnight baby, goodnight | Eddie Beal Trio ; Four Tones | Vocal quartet, with jazz/dance trio | composer | |
| Victor | BS-063825 | 10-in. | 4/28/1941 | When it's sleepy time down South | Sidney Bechet ; New Orleans Feetwarmers | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-067546 | 10-in. | 8/8/1941 | Someone's rocking my dream boat | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-068801 | 10-in. | 12/23/1941 | Someone's rocking my dreamboat | Ken Curtis ; Shep Fields ; New Music [Shep Fields] | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | BS-068805 | 10-in. | 12/23/1941 | Someone's rocking my dreamboat | Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Paula Kelly | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Victor | PBS-072434 | 10-in. | 6/25/1942 | From twilight 'til dawn | Freddy Martin Orchestra | Male vocal, with male vocal group and jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Victor | D7VB-0644 | 10-in. | 3/11/1947 | I sold my heart to the junkman | Etta Jones | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Columbia | W144763 | 10-in. | 10/14/1927 | In my dreams (I'm jealous of you) | Dixieland Blue Blowers ; Curtis Mosby ; Henry Starr | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Columbia | W147817 | 10-in. | 1/21/1929 | Between you and me (And the deep blue sea) | Dixieland Blue Blowers ; Curtis Mosby | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | W151803 | 10-in. | 9/21/1931 | When it's sleepy time down south | Ipana Troubadours ; Sam Lanin | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Columbia | W351105 | 10-in. | 9/22/1931 | When it's sleepy time down South | Phil Hughes and his High Hatters [Selvin's Orchestra] | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| OKeh | W404424 | 10-in. | 4/20/1931 | When it's sleepy time down South | Louis Armstrong Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Brunswick | E37160 | 10-in. | 9/15/1931 | When it’s sleepy time down South | Mildred Bailey ; Casa Loma Orchestra | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Brunswick | E37173 | 10-in. | 9/24/1931 | When it’s sleepy time down South | Snooks Hotel Paramount Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Brunswick | E37328 | 10-in. | 10/26/1931 | When it’s sleepytime down South | Artie Dunn ; Les Reis | Male vocal duet, with piano and accordion | songwriter | |
| Brunswick | C7916 | 10-in. | 7/27/1931 | When it’s sleepy time down South | Jimmie Noone Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
| Brunswick | LAE10 | 10-in. | Dec. 1927 | In my dreams (I’m jealous of you) | Sonny Clay Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
| Brunswick | [Br cat 16341-a] | 10-in. | approximately August 1931 | When it’s sleepy-time down South | The Dixie Serenaders [Sonny Clay Orchestra] | Jazz/dance band, with vocal | songwriter | |
| Exclusive | CPM-17 | 10-in. | 1946-1949 | You are my darlin' | Herb Jeffries Orchestra ; Herb Jeffries | composer | ||
| Exclusive | CPM-18 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | I lost my sugar in Salt Lake City | Herb Jeffries Orchestra ; Pat Kay | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | CPM-19 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Tisco cisco | Herb Jeffries Orchestra ; Pat Kay | composer | ||
| Exclusive | CPM-19 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Tisco cisco | Herb Jeffries Orchestra ; Pat Kay | composer | ||
| Exclusive | CPM-20 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Here's hoping | Herb Jeffries Orchestra | composer | ||
| Excelsior | CPM-20 | 10-in. | 1946-1949 | Here's hoping | Herb Jeffries Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | CPM-20 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Here's hoping | Herb Jeffries | composer | ||
| Class | LR-105 | 10-in. | 1953-1954 | Three lies | The Drifters ; Bernice Gooden | composer | ||
| Mercury | WC-108 | 10-in. | 1945-1956 | Afraid | The Sophistikats | composer | ||
| Class | C-1005 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Watusi | Pharaohs (Musical group : Richard Berry) | composer | ||
| Class | C-1006 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Teenagers love song | Pharaohs (Musical group : Richard Berry) | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1009 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Got your love in my heart | Eddie Davis ; James Jackson ; Little Willie Jackson ; Herb Jeffries ; Joe Liggins ; Original Honeydrippers | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1019 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | I want to love and be loved | The Basin Street Boys ; Judy Carol ; Eddie Beal Trio ; Lucky Thompson | composer | ||
| Excelsior | EXC-1027 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Gloria | Buddy Baker ; Bob Hayward | composer | ||
| Excelsior | EXC-1028 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Memories of home | Buddy Baker ; Bob Hayward | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1030 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | What's the score? | Buddy Baker ; Herb Jeffries | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1030 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | What's the score? | Buddy Baker Orchestra ; Herb Jeffries | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1033 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | With my heart in my hand | Charles Brown ; Johnny Moore ; Oscar Moore ; Three Blazers (Johnny Moore) ; Eddie Williams | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1044 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | I sold my heart to the junk man | The Basin Street Boys ; Eddie Beal Quartet | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1044 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | I sold my heart to the junk man | The Basin Street Boys ; Eddie Beal Quartet | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1051 | 10-in. | 1945-1948 | It's the gal from Cal for me | Buddy Baker ; Herb Jeffries | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1061 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Be fair with me | Charles Brown ; Three Blazers (Johnny Moore) ; Eddie Williams | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1080 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Be fair with me | Buddy Baker Orchestra ; Les Robinson ; Emma-Lou Welch | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1082 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Sleepy time down south | Buddy Baker Orchestra ; Milton Raskin ; Les Robinson ; Lucky Thompson | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1083 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Baker's dozen | Hoyt Bohannon ; Buddy Baker Orchestra ; Slim Davis | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1095 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | New Orleans blues | Charles Brown ; Johnny Moore ; Three Blazers (Johnny Moore) ; Eddie Williams | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1108 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | I never had a dream | Les Robinson ; Ray Thompson | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1125 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Summertime gal | The Basin Street Boys ; Lucky Thompson Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1127 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | You're mine forever | The Basin Street Boys ; Lucky Thompson Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1128 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Near to you | The Basin Street Boys ; Lucky Thompson Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1134 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Give me Texas | Doye O'Dell ; Leon René | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1152 | 10-in. | 1946-1949 | Beyond the stars | Buddy Baker Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1182 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Jilted blues | Charles Brown ; Johnny Moore ; Oscar Moore ; Three Blazers (Johnny Moore) ; Eddie Williams | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1226 | 10-in. | 1946-1949 | How come | Joe Liggins ; Original Honeydrippers | composer | ||
| Beyond the stars | EXC-1238 | 10-in. | 1946-1949 | Beyond the stars | Buddy Baker Orchestra ; Herb Jeffries | composer | ||
| Excluisve | EXC-1304 | 10-in. | 1946 or 1947 | I signed on the dotted line | Doye O'Dell | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1336 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Boogie woogie Santa Claus | Mabel Scott | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1350 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | That ain't the way to love | Mabel Scott | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1371 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Penelope | Paul Martin Orchestra ; Leon René | vocalist, songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1372 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Singing sweet melodies to you | Paul Martin Orchestra ; Leon René | composer, vocalist | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1384 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | That's all | Prince Cooper ; Charles "Truck" Parham ; Prince Cooper Trio ; Hurley Ramey | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1388 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Fiddle-a-delphia | Four Hits and a Miss ; Paul Martin Orchestra ; Leon René | vocalist | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1418 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Rose of broken heart lane | Heinie Beau Orchestra ; Charles Lind | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1430 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Rose of broken heart lane | Texas Jim Lewis ; Lone Star Cowboys | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1443 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Rum River blues | Jimmie Hudson | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1444 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Falling in love with you | Jimmie Hudson | composer | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1449 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | Thinking of you | Leonard Bibbs ; "Frantic" Fay Thomas ; Lee Young | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | EXC-1452 | 10-in. | 12/31/1949 | I lost my sugar in Salt Lake City | Leonard Bibbs ; "Frantic" Fay Thomas ; Lee Young | songwriter | ||
| Mercury | 1825 | 10-in. | 6/8/1948 | I sold my heart to the junk man | Dinah Washington | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2002 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | More than you realize | The Rollettes | composer | ||
| Class | C-2008 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | On our way to Mars | Eddie Robertson | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2011 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Here I am | Oscar McLollie | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2012 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Say | Oscar McLollie | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2013 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | So long baby | Bobby Day | composer | ||
| Class | C-2016 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Break it up | Googie René Band | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2022 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano | Bobby Day ; The Satellites | composer | ||
| Class | C-2032 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Beep-beep-beep | Bobby Day ; The Satellites | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2044 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Wiggle-tail - part 1 | Googie René | composer | ||
| Class | C-2045 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Wiggle-tail - part 2 | Googie René | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2059 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | Hey girl - hey boy | Jeanette Baker ; Oscar McLollie ; Googie René ; Googie René | songwriter | ||
| Class | C-2082 | 10-in. | 1956-1960 | The bluebird, the buzzard & the oriole | Bobby Day | composer | ||
| Exclusive | AM-2357-E | 10-in. | 1935-1970 | Someone's rocking my dream boat | Eddie Beal Trio ; Four Tones | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | AM-2358-E | 10-in. | 1935-1970 | Goodnight baby, goodnight | Eddie Beal Trio ; Four Tones | composer | ||
| Exclusive | AM-02494-E | 10-in. | 1944-1950 | Beyond the stars | Eddie Beal Trio ; Four Tones | composer | ||
| Exclusive | AM-02495-E | 10-in. | 1944-1950 | Sweet mint julep man | Eddie Beal Trio ; Four Tones | composer | ||
| Class | C-3004-V | 10-in. | 1953-1954 | The honey jump | Oscar McLollie Orchestra | songwriter | ||
| Class | LR-3007 | 10-in. | 1953-1954 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano - part 1 | Dan Grissom ; Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | composer | ||
| Class | LR-3008 | 10-in. | 1953-1954 | When the swallows come back to Capistrano - part 2 | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | 3113-A | 10-in. | 12/31/1944 | Mexico Joe | Ivie Anderson ; Ceelle Burke Orchestra | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | 3113-B | 10-in. | 12/31/1944 | When the ships come sailing home again | Ceelle Burke Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | 3114-A | 10-in. | 12/31/1944 | Play me the blues | Ivie Anderson ; Ceelle Burke Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | 3114-B | 10-in. | 12/31/1944 | Now or never | Ceelle Burke Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | RR-9952 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | How come | Duke Brooks ; Red Callender ; Lou Gonzales ; Red Callender Trio | composer | ||
| Exclusive | AMO-3113-2 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Mexico Joe | Ivie Anderson ; Ceelle Burke Orchestra | songwriter | ||
| Exclusive | AMO-3114-2 | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Play me the blues | Ivie Anderson ; Ceelle Burke Orchestra | composer | ||
| Exclusive | RR-9953-6-RE | 10-in. | 12/31/1948 | Ev'rything about you appeals to me | Duke Brooks ; Red Callender ; Lou Gonzales ; Red Callender Trio ; Leon René | songwriter, vocalist | ||
| Master | M111 | 10-in. | 2/18/1937 | I never had a dream | Tommy "Red" Tompkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "René, Leon," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109840.
René, Leon. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109840.
"René, Leon." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: René, Leon, 1902-1982 - https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no93035733
Wikidata: Leon René - https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q6524850
VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/29107019
MusicBrainz: Leon René - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/8a65c2f3-e954-48b9-92e8-0abd8f2ea5fc
Fast: https://id.worldcat.org/fast/1514895 - https://id.worldcat.org/fast/1514895
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