Jimmie Thomas Leon Rene, who often wrote under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas, composed rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll songs throughout the 30s, 40s and 50s. He had a major hit with "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" in 1940, which has been recorded by artists such as The Ink Spots, Fred Waring, Guy Lombardo, and Glenn Miller. His song "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" is considered a jazz standard, recorded by Louis Armstrong, and he wrote the Bobby Day hit "Rockin' Robin". He also established the record labels Exclusive Records, Excelsior Records and Class Records.