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 76-100 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 60099 10-in. 10/22/1935 Wouldn't I be a wonder Red McKenzie and his Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62027 10-in. 3/1/1937 When the poppies bloom again Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62028 10-in. 3/1/1937 May I have the next romance with you? Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62029 10-in. 3/1/1937 Wanted Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62030 10-in. 3/1/1937 Marie Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62036 10-in. 3/12/1937 Me, myself and I Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62037 10-in. 3/12/1937 Spring cleaning (Getting ready for love) Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62038 10-in. 3/12/1937 You can't take it with you Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62039 10-in. 3/12/1937 You're just a little diff'rent Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62040 10-in. 3/12/1937 Bundle of love Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62204 10-in. 5/20/1937 You're precious to me Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62205 10-in. 5/20/1937 Fan my Brow Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62206 10-in. 5/20/1937 Formal night in Harlem Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62207 10-in. 5/20/1937 He's a gypsy from Poughkeepsie Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62348 10-in. 7/9/1937 Easy living Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62349 10-in. 7/9/1937 I'll take the key and lock you up Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62350 10-in. 7/9/1937 Sing and be happy Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62351 10-in. 7/9/1937 Penny wise and pound foolish Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62491 10-in. 8/3/1937 (I've been) Dispossessed by you Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62492 10-in. 8/3/1937 Rock it for me Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62493 10-in. 8/3/1937 I'm losing my mind over you Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62494 10-in. 8/3/1937 I'm so in love with yo~ Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62547 10-in. 8/19/1937 The Big Apple Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62548 10-in. 8/19/1937 Josephine Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62549 10-in. 8/19/1937 Nothing can stop me now Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 76-100 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.