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 101-125 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 62550 10-in. 8/19/1937 Don't save your love Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62633 10-in. 9/30/1937 Beat it out Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62634 10-in. 9/30/1937 I'm sorry I made you cry Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62635 10-in. 9/30/1937 What do you want to make those eyes at me for? Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62636 10-in. 9/30/1937 She's tall, she's tan, she's terrific Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62686 10-in. 10/14/1937 Why talk about love? The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62687 10-in. 10/14/1937 Just a simple melody The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62692 10-in. 10/18/1937 My Swiss Hilly Billy Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62693 10-in. 10/18/1937 Danger, love at work Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62694 10-in. 10/18/1937 Tears in my heart Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62695 10-in. 10/18/1937 Miles apart Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62707 10-in. 10/25/1937 I've taken a fancy to you Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62708 10-in. 10/25/1937 I'll never let you cry Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62709 10-in. 10/25/1937 Goodbye, Jonah Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62710 10-in. 10/25/1937 Tears in my heart Teddy Grace instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62750 10-in. 11/4/1937 Alabamy bound Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62751 10-in. 11/4/1937 Goblins in the steeple Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62752 10-in. 11/4/1937 Who? Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62810 10-in. 11/24/1937 Nice work if you can get it The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 62811 10-in. 11/24/1937 Bei mir bist du schoen The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63236 10-in. 2/2/1938 Let's get happy together Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63237 10-in. 2/2/1938 Happy today, sad tomorrow Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63238 10-in. 2/2/1938 You shall reap what you sow Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63239 10-in. 2/2/1938 Oriental swing Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63251 10-in. 2/7/1938 There ain't gonna be no doggone afterwhile Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 101-125 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

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