Frank Froeba
Encyclopedia
Frank Froeba or Froba 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 1924-25, 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 1933-35. From 1935 to 1944 he led his own band, including on recordings for Columbia
and Decca
. Among his most celebrated sideman were Bunny Berigan
, Jack Purvis
, Buddy 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.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist and bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
.
Froeba held jobs in the bands of Johnny Wiggs
Johnny Wiggs
Johnny Wiggs was a jazz musician and band leader.Born John Wigginton Hyman on in New Orleans, Louisiana, he started his music career on the violin. He soon adopted the cornet and moved to New York for some time before returning to New Orleans...
and John Tobin while still in his teens. He played with Johnny de Droit in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1924-25, 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
Jack Purvis
Jack Purvis was an American jazz musician.Purvis was best known as a trumpet player and the composer of Dismal Dan and Down Georgia Way. He was one of the earliest trumpeters to incorporate the innovations pioneered by Louis Armstrong in the late 1920s...
in 1930 and with Jack Bland
Jack Bland
Jack Bland was an American jazz banjoist and bandleader.Born in Sedalia, Missouri, Bland co-founded the Mound City Blue Blowers with Red McKenzie in 1924 in St. Louis. Their first hit record was "Arkansas Blues", a success in Chicago and the Midwest...
in 1932, then worked with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
in 1933-35. From 1935 to 1944 he led his own band, including on recordings for Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
and Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. Among his most celebrated sideman were Bunny Berigan
Bunny Berigan
Rowland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan was an American jazz trumpeter who rose to fame during the swing era, but whose virtuosity and influence were shortened by a losing battle with alcoholism that ended in his early death at age 33. He composed the jazz instrumentals "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues"...
, Jack Purvis
Jack Purvis
Jack Purvis was an American jazz musician.Purvis was best known as a trumpet player and the composer of Dismal Dan and Down Georgia Way. He was one of the earliest trumpeters to incorporate the innovations pioneered by Louis Armstrong in the late 1920s...
, Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett was an American comedian and actor.-Early life:Hackett was born in Brooklyn, New York, New York, the son of a Jewish upholsterer. He grew up on 54th and 14th Ave in Borough Park, Brooklyn, across from Public School 103...
and Joe Marsala
Joe Marsala
Joe Marsala was an Italian-American jazz clarinetist and songwriter, born and based in Chicago. He was active during the big band era. Marsala is notable as one of the early employers of drummer Buddy Rich. Among his other musicians included pianist Joe Bushkin and guitarist Jack Lemaire, Carmen...
. 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.