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 51-75 of 96 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 51-75 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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