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Mitchell Froom
Mitchell Froom
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Key Information

Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, including David LaFlamme, Richard Thompson, Los Lobos, Suzanne Vega, and Vonda Shepard.

Career

[edit]

Froom began his career as a keyboard player in Sonoma County, California. The band Crossfire featured two keyboard players; Mitchell on one side of the stage and his brother David on the other with Gary Pihl on guitar. He also played keyboards on the Ronnie Montrose-led group Gamma's third album Gamma 3, and the first two solo albums of David LaFlamme (of It's a Beautiful Day fame) titled White Bird and Inside Out. The latter two projects he also co-produced with LaFlamme.

He then produced the first three Crowded House albums, which led to more production jobs with Richard Thompson, Los Lobos, American Music Club, Suzanne Vega and Paul McCartney. In 1982, Froom scored the adult film Café Flesh; his soundtrack was later released as the album Key of Cool. In the late 1980s, Crowded House leader Neil Finn invited Froom to join the band as an official member, but Froom declined due to his producing career.[1]

In 1987 he produced and wrote incidental music for the neo-noir film Slam Dance.

Between 1992 and 2002 Froom formed a full-time partnership with engineer Tchad Blake. Production credits include albums from American Music Club, Stevie Ann, Tasmin Archer, the Bangles, Peter Case, the Corrs, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Crowded House, the Ditty Bops, Tim Finn, Missy Higgins, Indigo Girls, Los Lobos, Robin Gibb, Maria McKee, Pat McLaughlin, Randy Newman, Nerina Pallot, Pearl Jam, Phantom Planet, Bonnie Pink, Daniel Powter, Bonnie Raitt, Ron Sexsmith, the Del Fuegos, Richard Thompson, and Suzanne Vega. Froom and Blake joined with David Hidalgo and Louie Perez of Los Lobos to form the experimental roots collaboration Latin Playboys.

Froom has produced over 60 albums[2] and has composed and produced music for numerous films.[3] He has been nominated for several Grammys including for Record of the Year for La Bamba by Los Lobos (1988) and Producer of the Year in 1993 for both Kiko by Los Lobos and 99.9F° by Suzanne Vega.[4] He was also nominated for the 1998 Golden Globe Award and the 1999 Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for co-writing with Sheryl Crow the James Bond movie title song "Tomorrow Never Dies".[5]

As a musician, Froom has released two solo albums, Dopamine (1998) and A Thousand Days (2005). The song "Noodletown" from "Dopamine" won an Emmy when it was used as the theme for PBS's Sessions at West 54th.[6]

Froom was a judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.[7]

In December 2019 Froom was announced as a member of the new lineup of Crowded House. The first album with this lineup, Dreamers Are Waiting, was released on June 4, 2021.[8]

Personal life

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Froom is of Romanian ancestry.[9] His brother was David Froom, a classical composer and Department Chair of the Music Department at St. Mary's College of Maryland.[10]

His first wife was Connie Jester, with whom he had a daughter, Charlotte Froom (born 1986). Charlotte was the bassist in the Like.

Froom married Suzanne Vega in 1995; they separated and divorced in 1998. Soul Coughing's 1994 album, Ruby Vroom, was named after their daughter, Ruby Froom (born July 8, 1994).

He married Vonda Shepard in 2004. They have a son, Jack Froom (April 15, 2006), named for Froom's late father, a physician and educator.[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]

With American Music Club

With Tasmin Archer

With Tracy Bonham

With Peter Case

With Tracy Chapman

With Cibo Matto

With Rita Coolidge

  • Inside the Fire (A&M Records, 1984)

With the Corrs

With Elvis Costello

With Marshall Crenshaw

With Sheryl Crow

With Crowded House

With Del Fuegos

With the Ditty Bops

With Dave Dobbyn

With Bob Dylan

With Neil Finn

With Tim Finn

With Finn Brothers

With Peter Gabriel

  • Up (Geffen, 2002)

With Boris Grebenshchikov

With Missy Higgins

With Susanna Hoffs

With Indigo Girls

With David LaFlamme

  • White Bird (Amherst Records, 1976)
  • Inside Out (Amherst Records, 1978)

With Los Lobos

With Paul McCartney

With Maria McKee

With Eddie Money

With Randy Newman

With Stina Nordenstam

With Roy Orbison

With Mel Parsons

With Phantom Planet

With Daniel Powter

With Pretenders

With Bonnie Raitt

With Stan Ridgway

With Ron Sexsmith

With Vonda Shepard

  • The Radical Light (Reprise/Warner Bros. Records, 1992)
  • By 7:30 (Jacket Records, 1999)
  • Chinatown (Edel Records, 2002)
  • From the Sun (Redeye Distribution, 2008)

With Richard Thompson

With Triggerfinger

  • Colossus (Mascot Records, 2017)

With Suzanne Vega

With Rufus Wainwright

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician, composer, and record producer renowned for his distinctive production style and collaborations with major artists including , , , and . Born in , and raised in Petaluma, Froom began his musical journey studying classical and pipe organ before playing keyboards in Bay Area bands such as in 1973 and Gamma with guitarist in the early 1980s. After moving to , he scored the soundtrack for the film (released as Key of Cool in 1984 on ) and produced early albums for the Del Fuegos, including The Longest Day (1984) and Boston, Mass. (1985). Froom's production career flourished in the 1980s and 1990s, yielding over 60 album credits with a focus on eclectic rock, alternative, and indie sounds; notable works include 's first three albums, ' Kiko (1992, co-produced with ), 's 99.9F° (1992), Elvis Costello's Brutal Youth (1994), and Richard Thompson's Daring Adventures (1986), Rumor and Sigh (1991), and Mirror Blue (1994). He also composed music for films like Slam Dance (1987), television including Pee-wee's Playhouse and the Emmy-nominated theme "Noodletown" for PBS's Sessions at West 54th (1998), and collaborated with artists such as , , , , , and . As a performer, Froom was a member of the experimental rock band Latin Playboys (debut album 1994) and served as touring keyboardist for starting in the early 2020s, including performances as recently as their 2025 Australian tour. His contributions have earned multiple Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year for ' "La Bamba" (1988), Producer of the Year (1993 for Kiko and 99.9F°), and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture (1999), along with a Golden Globe nomination (1998) and an Emmy nomination (1998). Froom released his solo album in 1998, featuring guests like and , and another, A Thousand Days, in 2005. Personally, he married singer-songwriter in 1995 (after producing her albums), with whom he had a daughter, , in 1994; the couple divorced in 1998. Now 72, Froom continues to prioritize live performance with over production, citing the excitement of touring as a refreshing change.

Early life

Family background

Mitchell Froom was born on June 29, 1953, in Santa Rosa, , and raised in Petaluma. Froom grew up in a musically inclined family; his parents were avid music enthusiasts who introduced him to influential artists such as during his childhood, and he began taking lessons at the age of five. His older brother, David Froom (December 14, 1951–June 19, 2022), was a and academic who served as a professor and chair of the music department at from 1989 onward. The brothers shared an early musical environment, collaborating as keyboardists in the rock band alongside guitarist and in 1973.

Musical beginnings

Froom began his musical journey studying classical piano and before playing keyboards in Bay Area bands such as alongside his brother David in 1973. In the early 1980s, he joined guitarist Ronnie Montrose's band Gamma as the keyboardist for their third album, Gamma 3 (1982), providing synth and organ textures that complemented the group's sound. His involvement with Gamma highlighted his versatility as a performer, blending electronic elements with live instrumentation across the band's tours and recordings. In the early , Froom relocated from his native to to pursue a career in music, building on early experiences playing keyboards in Bay Area bands such as . Upon arriving in , Froom established himself as a in the early , contributing keyboards to various projects that marked his entry into the professional recording scene.

Career

Record production

Mitchell Froom began his career as a in the , ultimately contributing to over 60 albums across various genres, often employing innovative approaches such as vintage recording gear and unconventional sonic techniques to create distinctive textures and atmospheres. His production style emphasized experimentation, including the use of obscure vintage keyboards, modified percussion, and spatial effects to enhance artistic expression, as seen in his collaborations that blended organic instrumentation with elements. Froom's early breakthroughs included producing 's debut album Crowded House (1986), (1988), and (1991), where he shaped the band's melodic rock sound with layered arrangements and atmospheric production. He also helmed ' iconic cover of "La Bamba" (1987), which became a global hit and earned a Grammy nomination for in 1988. Later in the decade, Froom worked with on 99.9F° (1992) and Nine Objects of Desire (1996), infusing her with rhythmic complexity and exotic instrumentation drawn from his collection of rare global sounds. Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Froom collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Richard Thompson on albums like Rumor and Sigh (1991), American Music Club's Mercury (1993), Bonnie Raitt's Fundamental (1998), where his production highlighted raw emotional depth and eclectic arrangements. His work earned a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, in 1993. In recent years, Froom contributed to Crowded House's Gravity Stairs (2024) as a band member and co-producer, while continuing studio collaborations with Los Lobos on new material as of 2024.

Performing roles

Mitchell Froom has contributed as a in several notable bands, bringing his instrumental expertise to both studio recordings and live performances. In the , he served as a full member of the band Gamma, led by guitarist , where he handled keyboard duties on their third album, Gamma 3 (1982), emphasizing electronic and keyboard-focused elements in the group's sound. During the 1990s, Froom co-founded the band Latin Playboys alongside members and , as well as engineer , infusing the group's music with psychedelic and textures through his keyboard work. The band released two albums, the self-titled Latin Playboys (1994) and Dose (1999), on which Froom performed keyboards and contributed to the loopy, impressionistic arrangements that blended Latin roots with innovative sampling and effects. Live performances during this period, including a 1999 tour stop at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., showcased Froom's role in enhancing the band's dynamic, otherworldly stage presence. Beyond band affiliations, Froom has appeared as a on various artists' recordings, providing keyboards for 's solo albums Peter Case (1986) and Six-Pack of Love (1992), where his contributions added atmospheric depth to the singer-songwriter's folk-rock style. Since 2020, Froom has been the official keyboardist for , participating in the recording of their albums (2021) and Gravity Stairs (2024), while also joining extensive tours to support these releases, including North American legs in 2022 and 2024, as well as European and dates in 2024. His keyboard playing on these works overlaps with his production history for the band, enriching their melodic pop-rock with layered textures.

Solo work

Mitchell Froom released his debut solo , Dopamine, in 1998 on . The album features twelve instrumental tracks characterized by experimental keyboard sounds and atmospheric synthesizers, blending Euro-jazz influences with cinematic textures. Froom handled keyboards and production, collaborating with guest musicians such as on vocals and on guitar, to create a collection of song-structured pieces that highlight his compositional skills beyond production work. Froom's second solo album, A Thousand Days, followed in 2005 on Kontext Records, shifting toward a more introspective style with fourteen piano-driven compositions. The work explores ambient and compositional elements through gentle, sparse piano pieces linked by subtle ambient washes, evoking influences from Brian Eno's ambient music and Randy Newman's lyrical elegance. Recorded primarily at piano with minimal treatments, the album emphasizes space, note decay, and a contemplative mood, underscoring Froom's identity as a composer of healing, melodic instrumentals. No major solo releases have emerged post-2005, though Froom continues to emphasize his role in interviews and select sessions.

Marriages and relationships

Mitchell Froom's first marriage was to Connie Jester in the , with whom he had a daughter, Charlotte, born in 1986; the couple later divorced. Froom met singer-songwriter in December 1991 while auditioning to produce her album 99.9F°, and they began a romantic relationship during the recording sessions despite Froom's ongoing first marriage. After Froom separated from , he and Vega reunited in September 1992 and married on March 17, 1995, in a ceremony at New York City's City Hall. Their marriage produced a daughter, , born in 1994, but ended in separation in 1998 and divorce shortly thereafter. During their relationship and marriage, Froom's professional collaboration with Vega deepened, as he produced her albums 99.9F° (1992), Nine Objects of Desire (1996), and Songs in Red and Gray (2001), blending her folk roots with experimental rhythms and Latin influences. Froom married musician Vonda Shepard in 2004, and their union has continued as of 2024, marked by shared musical passions. They have a son, Jack, born in 2006. Froom produced Shepard's album By 7:30 (1999) prior to their marriage and has continued collaborating with her on subsequent projects.

Family and residences

Mitchell Froom is the father of three children from his three marriages. His eldest daughter, Charlotte Froom, was born on July 17, 1986, and pursued a career in music as the bassist and backing vocalist for the Los Angeles-based band , which she co-founded as a teenager in 2001. His second daughter, Ruby Froom, was born on July 8, 1994, to Froom and singer-songwriter . Ruby has explored creative pursuits, including releasing music as a vocalist, while maintaining a low public profile in her personal endeavors. Froom's youngest child is his son, Jack Froom, born on April 15, 2006, with musician . Public details about Jack remain limited, underscoring the family's emphasis on privacy for his upbringing and activities. Froom has maintained a long-term base in , where he was born in Santa Rosa and raised in Petaluma. As of 2024, he continues to engage with the area's music scene, including local performances and ties to his formative years there.

Contributions to film and media

Soundtracks

Mitchell Froom scored the for the 1982 film , released as Key of Cool in 1984 on . He composed music for the 1987 film Slam Dance. Froom contributed to the of the 1988 film through production work on key tracks, including "" by , which exemplified his approach to blending -inflected keyboards with rock arrangements. His involvement helped shape the film's musical landscape, incorporating his distinctive production style that fused improvisational elements with rock energy. In 1997, Froom co-wrote and produced the theme song "Tomorrow Never Dies" for the James Bond film of the same name, performed by Sheryl Crow; the track earned a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. This collaboration highlighted Froom's ability to craft cinematic pop with orchestral undertones suitable for high-stakes action sequences. Froom's contributions extended to the 2000 comedy , where he produced the end-title duet "A Fool In Love" featuring and , adding a whimsical, character-driven close to the film's score. Throughout the and , he provided production and compositional support for songs in various film projects, including co-writing "Something So Strong" for the (1994) soundtrack, performed by .

Other media work

Mitchell Froom extended his production expertise to television through collaborations on soundtracks for the legal comedy-drama series , where he worked with performer , who appeared as the show's recurring house singer. As producer and arranger, Froom contributed to the 1999 album Heart and Soul: New Songs from Ally McBeal, overseeing tracks that included original compositions and episode-specific covers to complement the series' narrative. These efforts highlighted Froom's ability to blend pop sensibilities with thematic storytelling for broadcast media. He also composed music for the children's television series in the 1980s. Beyond production, Froom composed original theme music for television programs, earning a 1998 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for the music series . The theme incorporated his instrumental track "Noodletown" from his 1998 solo album , providing an atmospheric backdrop for live artist performances.

Discography

Productions

Mitchell Froom has produced over 60 albums across a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, folk, and roots music, often collaborating with artists to craft innovative sonic landscapes that blend traditional instrumentation with experimental textures. His production style emphasizes meticulous attention to detail and the integration of vintage keyboards, contributing to the distinctive sound of many landmark recordings. In the 1980s, Froom established his reputation with key releases that showcased his ability to elevate diverse acts. He produced Crowded House's self-titled debut album in 1986, capturing the band's melodic pop-rock essence through layered arrangements and subtle keyboard flourishes. He also contributed keyboards to ' By the Light of the Moon in 1987, helping fuse the group's roots with psychedelic and roots influences, resulting in a critically acclaimed exploration of cultural themes. The 1990s saw Froom deepen his collaborations with returning artists while branching into high-profile projects. He returned to for Temple of Low Men (1988) and (1991), refining their sophisticated songcraft and earning Grammy nominations for the latter. With , he produced 99.9°F° (1992) and Nine Objects of Desire (1996), shifting her sound toward jazz-inflected and intimate rhythms that marked a bold evolution in her catalog. Froom co-produced Elvis Costello's (1994), delivering a raw, guitar-driven rock record that reunited Costello with his classic lineup and revitalized his punk-era edge. Entering the 2000s, Froom continued to work with iconic figures, blending his production expertise with established legacies. Later, he teamed with for Souls Alike (2005, co-produced with ), crafting a soulful blend of and contemporary pop that earned widespread praise for its warmth and emotional depth. In the 2010s and 2020s, Froom's involvement with persisted as a band member, with production on select releases underscoring his enduring impact on the group's sound. He produced their reunion album (2021), incorporating modern production techniques while preserving the harmonious, introspective style that defined their early work. His contributions as a band member extended to Gravity Stairs (2024), where he played a key role in shaping the album's atmospheric and familial dynamics alongside bandmates.

Performances

Froom contributed keyboards to the debut album by , released in 1986, enhancing the band's pop-rock sound with his distinctive arrangements. He continued this role on their follow-up, (1988), providing organ and parts that supported the album's introspective tracks. On (1991), Froom's keyboard work, including , integrated seamlessly with the collaborative songwriting between and his brother Tim. In the band's 2020s resurgence, Froom rejoined as a full member, playing keyboards on (2021), where his contributions added textural depth to the reunion's reflective material. He maintained this position on the subsequent release Gravity Stairs (2024), delivering and elements that underscored the album's themes of ascent and struggle. As a core member of the experimental rock group Latin Playboys—alongside , , and —Froom performed keyboards on their self-titled debut album in 1994, blending Latin influences with production. His keyboard performances continued on the band's second album, Dose (1999), contributing to its eclectic, multi-cultural soundscapes. Froom's session work included keyboards on Peter Case's debut solo album Peter Case (1986), where he provided subtle organ and piano support amid the roots-rock arrangements. He also appeared on the compilation A Very Special Christmas 2 (1992), playing organ on the track "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" featuring Ronnie Spector alongside Darlene Love. Beyond studio recordings, Froom has been active in live performances. He joined for their 2019 reunion tour, marking his transition from producer to onstage , and continued through subsequent world tours supporting Dreamers Are Waiting and Gravity Stairs. With Latin Playboys, Froom participated in the band's inaugural live tour in 1999, performing experimental sets that highlighted their improvisational style at venues like the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana.

Solo releases

Mitchell Froom's first solo album, The Key of Cool, was released in 1984 on as the soundtrack to the film . This experimental work features tracks such as "Thrill Factor (Café Flesh Theme)," "The Key of Cool," "Zip Code," and "We Won't Dream," blending new wave elements with electronic textures that foreshadowed Froom's later production style. His second solo release, , came out in 1998 on and marked a collaborative experimental venture, with Froom composing the music and enlisting vocalists and lyricists from his production circle, including , , Ron Sexsmith, and Mark Eitzel. The album's 12 tracks highlight an eclectic mix of jazz-inflected pop and atmospheric soundscapes, such as "The Bunny" (featuring on vocals), "Kitsum" (with ), "" (Vega's contribution), "Monkey Mind" (Crow), "Noodletown," and "Overcast" (Sexsmith). Critics praised its ambitious production, noting Froom's signature cavernous drum sounds and the seamless integration of guest artists, though some tracks like "Monkey Mind" felt mismatched; the album earned a 3.1/5 average rating on based on user assessments. The track "Noodletown" notably won an Emmy Award for its use in television. Froom's third solo album, A Thousand Days, was issued in 2004 on Kontext Records (with a 2005 U.S. release) and consists of 14 original solo compositions, emphasizing minimalist and ambient influences akin to Eno's work. Key tracks include the title piece "A Thousand Days," "This Morning," "Trip to ," "Silhouettes," "A ," and "," each under three minutes, connected by subtle ambient washes that create a cohesive, contemplative narrative. Reviewers highlighted its romantic, healing quality and lyrical elegance, describing it as a surprising shift to instrumental music ideal for ambient listening, though not revolutionary for piano enthusiasts. No major solo albums or singles by Froom have been released since A Thousand Days, though his compositional style has occasionally appeared in film soundtracks. No notable compilations featuring exclusive solo material have surfaced as of 2025.

References

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