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.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 20, 1906 (Newton), Died December 3, 1986 (The Bronx)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1931 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, piano

Notes: Original name: Howard Joyner.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 96 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 96 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Howard, Bob," accessed October 11, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110280.

Howard, Bob. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110280.

"Howard, Bob." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 11 October 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110280

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