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 201-225 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 73676 9/12/1946 Someday Bob Eberly instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73692 9/25/1946 Someday (You'll want me to want you) Bob Eberly instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73693 9/25/1946 You are everything to me Bob Eberly instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75776 1/31/1950 Oh Helen! Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75777 1/31/1950 On San Francisco Bay Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75778 1/31/1950 Goodnight little girl, goodnight Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75779 1/31/1950 Put on an old pair of shoes Frank Froeba Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75924 3/3/1950 The curse of an aching heart Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75925 3/3/1950 I'm sorry I made you cry Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75926 3/3/1950 Whispering Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75927 3/3/1950 My Greenwich Village Sue Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75984 3/17/1950 Love song in 32 bars Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75985 3/17/1950 Daddy you've been a mother to me Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75986 3/17/1950 Rikki tikki 'toon Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75987 3/17/1950 Two sweethearts Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76041 3/29/1950 I'll see you in my dreams Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76042 3/29/1950 Mistakes Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76043 3/29/1950 Who's sorry now Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76044 3/29/1950 You're in love with everyone Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76045 3/29/1950 Limehouse blues Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76272 5/3/1950 Calico Sal Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76273 5/3/1950 She's shimmyin' on the beach Frank Froeba ; Ethel Merman instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76658 7/17/1950 Snooky Ookums Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76659 7/17/1950 At sundown Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81513 9/6/1951 Ain't we got fun Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 201-225 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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