Frank Froeba

Who was Frank Froeba?

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.