Frankie Froba

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 New Orleans (largest city of the state of Louisiana, United States), Died February 18, 1981

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, leader, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-100 of 277 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 39813 10-in. 8/5/1935 I wished on the moon Mike Riley, Eddie Farley and their Onyx Club Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60004 10-in. 9/26/1935 Looking for love Riley-Farley and their Onyx Club Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60005 10-in. 9/26/1935 South Riley-Farley and their Onyx Club Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60006 10-in. 9/26/1935 The music goes round and around Riley-Farley and their Onyx Club Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60007 10-in. 9/27/1935 Truckin' Johnnie Davis instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60008 10-in. 9/27/1935 Loafin' time Johnnie Davis instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60011 10-in. 9/28/1935 I feel a song comin' on Johnny Davis instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60012 10-in. 9/28/1935 Everything is okey-dokey Johnny Davis instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60073 10-in. 10/17/1935 It's funny what a kiss can do Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60074 10-in. 10/17/1935 Sugar plum Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60075 10-in. 10/17/1935 It's written in the stars Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60076 10-in. 10/17/1935 Give me a break, baby Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60096 10-in. 10/22/1935 Georgia rockin' chair Red McKenzie and his Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60097 10-in. 10/22/1935 Monday in Manhattan Red McKenzie and his Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60098 10-in. 10/22/1935 Every now and then Red McKenzie and his Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, piano  
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  
(Results 76-100 of 277 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froba, Frankie," accessed January 5, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106921.

Froba, Frankie. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106921.

"Froba, Frankie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 5 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106921

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