Frank Froeba

Frank Froeba or Froba (August 1907, New Orleans - February 16, 1981, Miami) was an American jazz pianist and bandleader.

Froeba held jobs in the bands of Johnny Wiggs and John Tobin while still in his teens. He played with Johnny de Droit in New York City in 1924-1925, then led his own band in Atlantic City in the latter half of the decade, in addition to moonlighting in other dance ensembles. He recorded with Jack Purvis in 1930 and with Jack Bland in 1932, then worked with Benny Goodman in 1933-1935. From 1935 to 1944, he led his own band, including on recordings for Columbia and Decca. Among his sideman were Bunny Berigan, Jack Purvis, Bobby Hackett and Joe Marsala. He was a house pianist for Decca in the 1930s and 1940s, playing behind Bob Howard and Lil Armstrong, among others. In 1955, he moved to Miami and performed as Frank Froba, moving more into popular performance.

One of his more popular tracks, "Jumpin' Jive", which Froeba co-wrote with Cab Calloway, was recorded by Joe Jackson on his Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive album.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 6, 1907 (New Orleans), Died February 18, 1981

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 226-250 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 81514 9/6/1951 After the ball Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81515 9/6/1951 All by myself Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81516 9/6/1951 Dancing with tears in my eyes Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81521 9/10/1951 I wonder what's become of Sally Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81522 9/10/1951 Oh by Jingo (Oh by Gee.you're the only girl for me) Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81523 9/10/1951 When your old wedding ring was new Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81524 9/10/1951 If I had a girl like you Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82061 1/2/1952 I wanna say hello Frank Froeba ; Adeline Niece instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82062 1/2/1952 Piano players (that played like this) Frank Froeba ; Adeline Niece instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82296 2/12/1952 Mistakes Al Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82297 2/12/1952 My castle in Spain Al Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82298 2/12/1952 Is it true what they say about Dixie? Al Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82299 2/12/1952 Someday sweetheart Al Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83325 8/29/1952 Lulu is a Lulu Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83326 8/29/1952 Herman kept playin' away Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83327 8/29/1952 Since my best gal turned me down Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83328 8/29/1952 Red head Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83772 1/7/1953 Blue moon Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83773 1/7/1953 How high the moon Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83774 1/7/1953 Stardust on the moon Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83775 1/7/1953 It's only a paper moon Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83776 1/7/1953 Moonglow Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83777 1/7/1953 Moonlight saving time Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83778 1/7/1953 Moon over Miami Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83779 1/7/1953 Moonlight on the Ganges Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 226-250 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920

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