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 151-175 of 259 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 65751 10-in. 6/8/1939 The shoemaker's holiday Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 65752 10-in. 6/8/1939 Everybody loves my baby Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66241 10-in. 8/30/1939 What good will it do? Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66242 10-in. 8/30/1939 Baby me Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66243 10-in. 8/30/1939 Somebody told me they loved me Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66244 10-in. 8/30/1939 I wish I had died in my cradle Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66495 10-in. 11/9/1939 Oh! Johnny, oh! Johnny, oh! Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66498 10-in. 11/9/1939 Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Oh! The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66499 10-in. 11/9/1939 South American way The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66612 10-in. 9/19/1939 I only want a buddy, not a sweetheart Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66613 10-in. 9/19/1939 That's what I want for Christmas Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66614 10-in. 9/19/1939 Don't wait till the night before Christmas Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66803 10-in. 10/27/1939 Lilacs in the rain Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66804 10-in. 10/27/1939 Are you havin' any fun? Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66805 10-in. 10/27/1939 Comes love Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66806 10-in. 10/27/1939 Hello, Mister Kringle Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66930 10-in. 12/5/1939 Put your little foot right out Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66931 10-in. 12/5/1939 She had to go and lose it at the Astor Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66932 10-in. 12/5/1939 As 'round and 'round we go Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66933 10-in. 12/5/1939 Ma! (He's making eyes at me) Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 66934 10-in. 12/5/1939 All alone Donald King instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67038 10-in. 1/11/1940 Boomps - a - daisy Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67039 10-in. 1/11/1940 Playmates Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67217 10-in. 2/20/1940 Row, row, row Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 67275 10-in. 3/8/1940 The wreck of the Old '97 Dick Robertson instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 151-175 of 259 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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