Bob Howard
Bob Howard (born Howard Joyner, June 20, 1906 – December 3, 1986; another source gives his birth date as June 20, 1897) was an American pianist-vocalist on swing records in the 1930s. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, Joyner began singing in New York night clubs in the mid-1920s. He began recording in 1931 under his real name for Columbia. Under the name Bob Howard, he played New York's Park Central Hotel, Famous Door, Hickory House and other clubs as well as theaters. He was signed to Decca in late 1934 and recorded a series of hot small group swing records between 1935 and 1938. His studio groups included Benny Carter, Buster Bailey, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, Teddy Wilson, Russell Procope, Cecil Scott, Cozy Cole, Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw, Babe Russin and others. Howard did not play piano on his Decca recordings, only sang. He embarked on European tours as a solo performer. He also had his own radio series in New York in the middle and late 1930s. In the 1940s, he performed in a handful of short films (1936–1947). He acted in an episode of Perry Mason in 1959. In 1948, Howard hosted The Bob Howard Show on CBS, making him the first African-American to host a regularly broadcast network TV show. The program was cancelled after 13 episodes. He also was a regular performer on Sing It Again on CBS-TV in 1950 - 1951. He later relocated to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. He died in the Bronx, New York. |
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Columbia | W151785 | 10-in. | 9/14/1931 | I'm thru' with love | Howard Joyner | Male vocal solo, with piano | vocalist | |
Columbia | W152082 | 10-in. | 1/19/1932 | (I'll be glad when you're dead) You rascal you | Howard Joyner | Male vocal solo, with cornet and piano | instrumentalist, piano, vocalist | |
Columbia | W152083 | 10-in. | 1/19/1932 | All of me | Howard Joyner | Male vocal solo, with cornet and piano | instrumentalist, piano, vocalist | |
Columbia | W152302 | 10-in. | 9/20/1932 | Sentimental gentleman from Georgia | Howard Joyner | Male vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, instrumentalist, piano | |
Columbia | W152303 | 10-in. | 9/20/1932 | Underneath the Harlem moon | Howard Joyner | Male vocal solo, with piano | vocalist, instrumentalist, piano | |
OKeh | W405124 | 10-in. | 1/19/1932 | You rascal you (I'll be glad when you're dead) | Skeeter Skoot | Male vocal solo, with cornet and piano | vocalist | |
OKeh | W405125 | 10-in. | 1/19/1932 | All of me | Skeeter Skoot | Male vocal solo, with cornet and piano | vocalist | |
OKeh | W405144 | 10-in. | 2/17/1932 | Fattening frogs for snakes | Carrie Edwards ; Howard Joyner | Female vocal solo, with piano | instrumentalist, piano | |
OKeh | W405145 | 10-in. | 2/17/1932 | Hard time blues | Carrie Edwards ; Howard Joyner | Female vocal solo, with piano | instrumentalist, piano | |
Atlantic | 76 | 10-in. | 12/10/1947 | Mo'lasses | Bob Howard and his Rhythm ; Bob Howard | vocalist, instrumentalist, piano | ||
Atlantic | 77 | 10-in. | 12/10/1947 | Button up your overcoat | Bob Howard and his Rhythm | vocalist, instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | 39094 | 10-in. | 11/22/1934 | P.S. I love you | Bob Howard | vocalist, instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | 39095 | 10-in. | 11/22/1934 | What a difference a day made | Bob Howard | vocalist, instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | 39217 | 10-in. | 1/2/1935 | It's unbelievable | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39218 | 10-in. | 1/2/1935 | Whisper sweet | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39219 | 10-in. | 1/2/1935 | Throwin' stones at the sun | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39220 | 10-in. | 1/2/1935 | You fit into the picture | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39253 | 10-in. | 1/16/1935 | You're the top, part 2 | Decca All-Star Review | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39387 | 10-in. | 2/25/1935 | The ghost of Dinah | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39388 | 10-in. | 2/25/1935 | Pardon my love | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39390 | 10-in. | 3/4/1935 | Stay out of love | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39391 | 10-in. | 3/4/1935 | I' ll never change | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39392 | 10-in. | 3/4/1935 | Where were you on the night of June the third? | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39393 | 10-in. | 3/4/1935 | (Looks like I'm) Breakin' the ice | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39518 | 10-in. | 5/7/1935 | Corinne Corinna | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39519 | 10-in. | 5/7/1935 | Ev'ry day | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39520 | 10-in. | 5/7/1935 | A porter's love song | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39521 | 10-in. | 5/7/1935 | I can't dance | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39693 | 10-in. | 7/10/1935 | If the moon turns green | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39694 | 10-in. | 7/10/1935 | Lulu's back in tovm | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39723 | 10-in. | 7/18/1935 | In a little gypsy tea room | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39724 | 10-in. | 7/18/1935 | I never saw a better night | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39725 | 10-in. | 7/19/1935 | Lost my rhythm, lost my music, lost my man | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 39726 | 10-in. | 7/19/1935 | I'm painting the town red | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60073 | 10-in. | 10/17/1935 | It's funny what a kiss can do | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60074 | 10-in. | 10/17/1935 | Sugar plum | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60075 | 10-in. | 10/17/1935 | It's written in the stars | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60076 | 10-in. | 10/17/1935 | Give me a break, baby | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60404 | 10-in. | 1/28/1936 | Whose big baby are you? | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60405 | 10-in. | 1/28/1936 | Much too much | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60406 | 10-in. | 1/28/1936 | Garbo green | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60407 | 10-in. | 1/28/1936 | You hit the spot | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60454 | 10-in. | 2/10/1936 | Spreadin' rhythm around | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60455 | 10-in. | 2/10/1936 | Wake up and sing | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60935 | 10-in. | 3/26/1936 | I'd like to see you | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60936 | 10-in. | 3/26/1936 | If love is blind | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60937 | 10-in. | 3/26/1936 | Mr. Rhythm for president | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60938 | 10-in. | 3/26/1936 | Get acquainted with yourself | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60939 | 10-in. | 3/26/1936 | The best things happen at night | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60979 | 10-in. | 4/3/1936 | No use you knockin' | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60980 | 10-in. | 4/3/1936 | Public weakness No.1 | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 60981 | 10-in. | 4/3/1936 | Let's not fall in love | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61255 | 10-in. | 9/2/1936 | Bojangles of Harlem | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61256 | 10-in. | 9/2/1936 | Mendel's son's swing song | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61257 | 10-in. | 9/2/1936 | Sing baby, sing | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61258 | 10-in. | 9/2/1936 | Swinging on the moon | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61311 | 10-in. | 10/12/1936 | Copper colored gal | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61312 | 10-in. | 10/12/1936 | That's what you mean to me | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61313 | 10-in. | 10/12/1936 | Hop skip jump | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 61314 | 10-in. | 10/12/1936 | You're giving me a song and a dance | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62036 | 10-in. | 3/12/1937 | Me, myself and I | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62037 | 10-in. | 3/12/1937 | Spring cleaning (Getting ready for love) | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62038 | 10-in. | 3/12/1937 | You can't take it with you | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62039 | 10-in. | 3/12/1937 | You're just a little diff'rent | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62040 | 10-in. | 3/12/1937 | Bundle of love | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62204 | 10-in. | 5/20/1937 | You're precious to me | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62205 | 10-in. | 5/20/1937 | Fan my Brow | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62206 | 10-in. | 5/20/1937 | Formal night in Harlem | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62207 | 10-in. | 5/20/1937 | He's a gypsy from Poughkeepsie | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62348 | 10-in. | 7/9/1937 | Easy living | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62349 | 10-in. | 7/9/1937 | I'll take the key and lock you up | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62350 | 10-in. | 7/9/1937 | Sing and be happy | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62351 | 10-in. | 7/9/1937 | Penny wise and pound foolish | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62633 | 10-in. | 9/30/1937 | Beat it out | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62634 | 10-in. | 9/30/1937 | I'm sorry I made you cry | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62635 | 10-in. | 9/30/1937 | What do you want to make those eyes at me for? | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 62636 | 10-in. | 9/30/1937 | She's tall, she's tan, she's terrific | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63251 | 10-in. | 2/7/1938 | There ain't gonna be no doggone afterwhile | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63252 | 10-in. | 2/7/1938 | If you're a viper | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63253 | 10-in. | 2/7/1938 | Baby, it must be love | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63254 | 10-in. | 2/7/1938 | Raggedy but right | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63575 | 10-in. | 4/8/1938 | In my Mizz | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63576 | 10-in. | 4/8/1938 | Toodle-oo | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63577 | 10-in. | 4/8/1938 | Just about the time | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 63578 | 10-in. | 4/8/1938 | Talk to me | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64226 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | I can tell by looking in your eyes | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64232 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | Dapper Dan | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64233 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | You better come back | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64234 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | Southern Casey Jones | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64343 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | I used to love you | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64344 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Keepin' out of mischief now | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64345 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Sweet Emalina, my gal | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64346 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Beale Street Mama | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64347 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | You're in Kentucky sure as you're born | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64348 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Any rags | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist | ||
Decca | 64349 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | On revival day | Bob Howard Orchestra | vocalist |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Howard, Bob," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110280.
Howard, Bob. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110280.
"Howard, Bob." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Bob Howard
Discogs: Bob Howard
Allmusic: Bob Howard
Grove: Bob Howard
IMDb: Bob Howard
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Howard, Bob, 1906-1986 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no96033947
Wikidata: Bob Howard - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q888000
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/19273316
MusicBrainz: Bob Howard - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/ab30bd61-8223-42cd-b4cf-6bd8e2a00efc
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