Charles Valdez "Truck" Parham (January 25, 1911 – June 5, 2002) was an American jazz double-bassist.[1]
Charles Valdez "Truck" Parham | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 25, 1911 Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Died | June 5, 2002 (aged 91) Chicago |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, boxer, American football player |
| Instrument | Double-bass |
Parham was born in Chicago[1] and was first a professional sportsman: he was a boxer and played football with the Chicago Negro All Stars.[2] He played drums before settling on bass, and studied under Walter Page.[2] He was part of Zack Whyte's band in 1932-34, playing primarily in Cincinnati, but was mostly a singer and valet for the band, the latter activity giving rise to his nickname.[1] After returning to Chicago, he played with Zutty Singleton, Roy Eldridge (1936–38), Art Tatum, and Bob Shoffner in the 1930s.[2] In 1940 he joined Earl Hines's orchestra, where he remained for two years; in 1942 he was hired by Jimmie Lunceford and played with him until 1947.[2]
Parham continued to play revival gigs with Muggsy Spanier (1950–55), Herbie Fields (1956–57), Hines again, and Louie Bellson.[2] He spent much of the 1960s working with Art Hodes, and played in numerous Dixieland jazz groups later in his career.[2] Parham never recorded as a leader, though he recorded profusely as a sideman.[2] He continued playing into the 2000s, being a member of Franz Jackson's band in 2000.[1] Parham died in Chicago on June 5, 2002.[1]
Discography
editWith Louis Bellson
- Drumorama! (Verve, 1957)
- Louis Bellson at The Flamingo (Verve, 1957)
- The Brilliant Bellson Sound (Verve, 1959)
With Art Hodes
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Curry, John (2003). "Parham, Truck [Charles Valdez]". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Yanow, Scott. "Truck Parham". AllMusic. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 711. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.