Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Charles Valdez “Truck” Parham was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 25, 1911 and was first a professional boxer and football player with the Chicago Negro All Stars. He played drums before settling on bass, and studied under Walter Page. From 1932~34 he was part of Zack Whyte’s band, playing primarily in Cincinnati, Ohio but was mostly a singer and valet for the band, the latter activity giving rise to his nickname.

Returning home he played through the Thirties with Zutty Singleton, Roy Eldridge, Art Tatum, and Bob Shoffner. 1940 saw Truck joining Earl Hines’s orchestra, remaining for two years;then on to be hired by Jimmie Lunceford for five years until 1947.

During the 1950s Parham continued to play revival gigs with Muggsy Spanier,, Herbie Fields, Hines again, and Louie Bellson. He spent much of the 1960s working with Art Hodes, and played in numerous Dixieland jazz groups later in his career. Recording profusely as a sideman, he continued playing into the 2000s, being a member of Franz Jackson’s band in 2000.

Double bassist Truck Parham, who never recorded as a leader transitioned in his hometown of Chicago on June 5, 2002.

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