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 1-25 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor MS-92210 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Makin' whoopee Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92211 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 I would do most anything for you Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92212 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Rose room Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92213 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Pardon my love Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92214 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 St. Louis blues Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92215 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Can't we be friends Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92216 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Royal Garden blues Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92217 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 When we're alone Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92218 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Sometimes I'm happy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92219 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Anything goes Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92220 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Down by the river Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92221 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Ding dong daddy from Dumas Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-92222 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Stompin' at the Savoy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-102942 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1936 Take my word Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra ; Peggy Lawson Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-102943 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1936 But definitely Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra ; Peggy Lawson Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-102944 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1936 On your toes Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-102945 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1936 I can pull a rabbit out of a hat Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists instrumentalist, piano  
Victor MS-102946 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1936 You're not the kind Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-037631 10-in. 6/13/1939 The jumpin' jive (Jim, jam, jump) Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-037738 10-in. 6/21/1939 The jumpin' jive (Jim jam jump) Butch Stone ; Van Alexander Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor D5VB-0985 10-in. 12/17/1945 Make with the music Curly, Ez, and Gabe ; Zeke Manners Band Vocal trio, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Victor D5VB-0986 10-in. 12/17/1945 Sioux City Sue Curly Gribbs ; Zeke Manners Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Victor D5VB-0987 10-in. 12/17/1945 Don't dog me 'round Zeke Manners Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Victor D6VB-1607 10-in. 1/31/1946 Detour Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Victor D6VB-1608 10-in. 1/31/1946 Make room in your heart for a friend Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 1-25 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed March 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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