Clarence Muse

Clarence Muse

Clarence Muse (October 14, 1889 – October 13, 1979) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, singer, and composer. He was the first African American to appear in a starring role in a major studio film, 1929's Hearts in Dixie. He acted for 50 years, and appeared in more than 150 films. He was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973.

Birth and Death Data: Born Baltimore (city in Maryland, United States), Died October 13, 1979 (Perris (city in Riverside County, Southern California, United States) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1931 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter

= 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
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	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	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-063825	10-in.	4/28/1941	When it's sleepy time down South	Sidney Bechet ; New Orleans Feetwarmers	Jazz/dance band	songwriter
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	[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	EXC-1082	10-in.	12/31/1949	Sleepy time down south	Buddy Baker Orchestra ; Milton Raskin ; Les Robinson ; Lucky Thompson		songwriter

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Muse, Clarence," accessed December 26, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103831.

Muse, Clarence. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103831.

"Muse, Clarence." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 26 December 2025.