Exclusive Records was a record label established by Leon René, which existed from 1944 to 1950.

History

Exclusive Records was established by Leon René in Los Angeles in 1944 and ceased operations in January 1950.

Buddy Baker Elzie Wylie "Buddy" Baker Jr. (January 25, 1941 – August 10, 2015) was an American professional stock car racing driver and commentator. Over the course of his 33-year racing career, he won 19 races in the NASCAR Cup Series, including the 19 ...

was the music director. The label's roster included music by Lucky Thompson, the Basin Street Boys, the Ceele Burke Orchestra, Edgar Hayes & His Stardusters,

Herb Jeffries Herb Jeffries (born Umberto Alexander Valentino; September 24, 1913 – May 25, 2014) was an American actor of film and television and popular music and jazz singer-songwriter, known for his baritone voice. He starred in several low-budget "ra ...

, Rickey Jordan, Jack McVea & His Orchestra, Mabel Scott, Frantic Fay Thomas,

Joe Liggins Joseph Christopher Liggins Jr. (born Theodro Elliott; July 9, 1916 – July 26, 1987) was an American R&B, jazz and blues pianist and vocalist who led Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers in the 1940s and 1950s. His band appeared often on the ''Bi ...

& His Honeydrippers, and

Johnny Moore's Three Blazers Johnny Moore's Three Blazers was a popular American vocal group in the 1940s and 1950s. The original members were: *Johnny Moore (John Dudley Moore, October 20, 1906, Austin, Texas – January 6, 1969, Los Angeles, California); * Charles ...

with Charles Brown.Dave Penny
Biography of Johnny Moore
Black Cat Rockabilly Europe. Retrieved 2012-03-31. Leon René and his brother

Otis René Otis Joseph René Jr. was an American songwriter and record label owner. As a songwriter, he is notable as the co-author of "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", which became a signature song for Louis Armstrong. Biography Otis René was born in Ne ...

, who owned Excelsior Records, purchased a shellac record pressing plant, but when the format changed from 78 rpm to 45 rpm, their old equipment could not press the new smaller vinyl discs, and both labels went out of business. In 1951, Leon René started up Class Records with his son, musician Googie René. They formed Rendezvous Records with new partners in 1958.

Roster

Big Jay McNeely Cecil James "Big Jay" McNeely (April 29, 1927 – September 16, 2018) was an American R&B saxophonist. Biography Inspired by Illinois Jacquet and Lester Young, McNeely teamed with his older brother Robert McNeely, who played baritone saxophon ...

Orchestra * Ceele Burke Orchestra * Charles Lind * Dan Burley & His Skiffle Boys * Doye O'Dell * Edgar Hayes & His Stardusters *

Ernie Andrews Ernest Mitchell Andrews Jr. (December 25, 1927 – February 21, 2022) was an American jazz, blues, and pop singer. Life and career Andrews was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Los Angeles, and is said to have been discovered b ...

* Four Hits and a Miss * Frances Wayne * Frank Haywood * "Frantic" Fay Thomas * Gladys Watts *

* Jack McVea & His Orchestra * Jimmie Hudson *

& His Honeydrippers * Joe Swift (with

Johnny Otis Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes (Greek language, Greek: Ιωάννης Αλέξανδρος Βελιώτης)); December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012) was a Greek American singer, musician, composer, bandleader, record producer, ...

& His Orchestra) *

* Les Robinson Orchestra * Mabel Scott * Paul Martin Orchestra * Pete Peterson Orchestra * Prince Cooper Trio * Rafael Méndez Orchestra * Red Callender Trio * Redd Harper * Rickey Jordan * Smokey Hogg * Steve Miller's Four Barons * Texas Jim Lewis & His Lone Star Cowboys * The Basin Street Boys * The Dixieaires * The Famous Ward Singers of Philadelphia * The Gay Sisters of Chicago * The Sallie Martin Singers * WMA Soul Stirrers of Houston

References

External links

Exclusive Records
on the Internet Archive'
Great 78 Project
{{Authority control American jazz record labels