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 51-75 of 259 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D6VB-3059 10-in. 10/16/1946 Castle in the apple tree Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Victor D6VB-3060 10-in. 10/16/1946 Too tired to care Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Victor D6VB-3061 10-in. 10/16/1946 Sweetheart polka Skytoppers Instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E31917 10-in. 1/31/1930 Clam house Adrian Rollini ; Snake & Teddy Saxophone solo, with piano and guitar instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E31918 10-in. 1/31/1930 Round town Adrian Rollini ; Snake & Teddy Saxophone solo, with piano and guitar instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E31919 10-in. 1/31/1930 Black and blue Adrian Rollini ; Snake & Teddy Saxophone solo, with piano and guitar instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39808 10-in. 8/5/1935 Double trouble Mike Riley, Eddie Farley and their Onyx Club Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39809 10-in. 8/5/1935 You're all I need Mike Riley, Eddie Farley and their Onyx Club Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39810 10-in. 8/5/1935 In the middle of a kiss Mike Riley, Eddie Farley and their Onyx Club Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39811 10-in. 8/5/1935 When I grow too old to dream Mike Riley, Eddie Farley and their Onyx Club Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39812 10-in. 8/5/1935 Rhythm is our business Mike Riley, Eddie Farley and their Onyx Club Boys instrumentalist, piano  
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  
(Results 51-75 of 259 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920

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