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 251-259 of 259 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 83779 1/7/1953 Moonlight on the Ganges Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85567 12/11/1953 I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85568 12/11/1953 Sweet Lorraine Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85569 12/11/1953 Don't worry 'bout me Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85570 12/11/1953 Sophisticated lady Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85571 12/11/1953 I surrender dear Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85572 12/11/1953 Stars fell on Alabama Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85573 12/11/1953 You're not the kind Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85574 12/11/1953 Ain't misbehavin' Frank Froeba instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 251-259 of 259 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Froeba, Frank," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

Froeba, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920.

"Froeba, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/106920

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