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 126-150 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 63252 10-in. 2/7/1938 If you're a viper Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63253 10-in. 2/7/1938 Baby, it must be love Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63254 10-in. 2/7/1938 Raggedy but right Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63300 10-in. 2/21/1938 Joseph! Joseph! The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63301 10-in. 2/21/1938 Ti-pi-tin The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63314 10-in. 2/22/1938 Shortnin' bread The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63315 10-in. 2/22/1938 It's easier said than done The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63316 10-in. 2/22/1938 Where have we met before? The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63317 10-in. 2/22/1938 Ooooooo-oh boom! The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63353 10-in. 2/28/1938 Goodnight, angel Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63354 10-in. 2/28/1938 Let's sail to dreamland Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63355 10-in. 2/28/1938 Drop a nickel in the slot Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63356 10-in. 2/28/1938 You went to my head Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63575 10-in. 4/8/1938 In my Mizz Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63576 10-in. 4/8/1938 Toodle-oo Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63577 10-in. 4/8/1938 Just about the time Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63578 10-in. 4/8/1938 Talk to me Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64254 10-in. 7/5/1938 Gobblins in the steeple Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64255 10-in. 7/5/1938 Minuet in jazz Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64646 10-in. 9/13/1938 The Lambeth walk Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64647 10-in. 9/13/1938 Rockin' in rhythm Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 65089 10-in. 3/1/1939 Annabella Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 65090 10-in. 3/1/1939 The whistler and his dog Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 65750 10-in. 6/8/1939 In an 18th century drawing room Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 65751 10-in. 6/8/1939 The shoemaker's holiday Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 126-150 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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