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 176-200 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 67419 10-in. 3/28/1940 Little girl Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67420 10-in. 3/28/1940 If I could be with you one hour tonight Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67421 10-in. 3/28/1940 I want a girl just like the girl that married Dear Old Dad Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67422 10-in. 3/28/1940 I wish I had died in my cradle Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71464 10-in. 10/24/1943 Moosie mousie boogie Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71465 10-in. 10/24/1943 In a little Spanish town Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71466 10-in. 10/24/1943 St. Louis blues Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71467 10-in. 10/24/1943 Bye bye blackbird Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71468 10-in. 10/24/1943 Ma Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71469 10-in. 10/24/1943 Sugar blues Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71470 10-in. 10/24/1943 That old gang of mine Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71471 10-in. 10/24/1943 If you were the only girl in the world Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71472 10-in. 10/24/1943 Margie Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71473 10-in. 10/24/1943 Squeeze me Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71539 10-in. 12/7/1943 Down by the old mill stream Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71540 10-in. 12/7/1943 I wonder who's kissing her now Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71541 10-in. 12/7/1943 The one rose Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71542 10-in. 12/7/1943 It's a sin to tell a lie Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71543 10-in. 12/7/1943 Let me call you sweetheart Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71544 10-in. 12/7/1943 My wild Irish rose Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71545 10-in. 12/7/1943 I'm alone because I love you Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71546 10-in. 12/7/1943 When I lost you Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71547 10-in. 12/7/1943 Girl of my dreams Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71548 10-in. 12/7/1943 Just a girl that men forget Frank Froeba and his Back Room Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73675 9/12/1946 Once upon a moon Bob Eberly instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 176-200 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed April 24, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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