Charles Truck

Charles Valdez "Truck" Parham (January 25, 1911 – June 5, 2002) was an American jazz double-bassist.

Parham was born in Chicago and was first a professional sportsman: he was a boxer and played football with the Chicago Negro All Stars. He played drums before settling on bass, and studied under Walter Page. 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. After returning to Chicago, he played with Zutty Singleton, Roy Eldridge (1936–38), Art Tatum, and Bob Shoffner in the 1930s. 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.

Parham continued to play revival gigs with Muggsy Spanier (1950–55), Herbie Fields (1956–57), 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. Parham never recorded as a leader, though he recorded profusely as a sideman. He continued playing into the 2000s, being a member of Franz Jackson's band in 2000. Parham died in Chicago on June 5, 2002.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 25, 1911 (Chicago), Died June 5, 2002

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1940 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 62 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor PBS-055175 10-in. 12/2/1940 Easy rhythm Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-055176 10-in. 12/2/1940 In swamp lands Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-055177 10-in. 12/2/1940 I'm falling for you Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-055178 10-in. 12/2/1940 Ev'rything depends on you Earl Hines Orchestra ; Madeline Green Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-055179 10-in. 12/2/1940 Comin' in home Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-055180 10-in. 12/2/1940 Jelly, jelly Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-061540 10-in. 8/20/1941 It had to be you Earl Hines Orchestra ; Madeline Green ; Three Varieties Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-061541 10-in. 8/20/1941 Windy City jive Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-061542 10-in. 8/20/1941 Straight to love Earl Hines Orchestra ; Leroy Harris Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-061543 10-in. 8/20/1941 Water boy Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-061544 10-in. 8/20/1941 Swingin' on a "C" Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor PBS-061545 10-in. 8/20/1941 Yellow fire Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063328 10-in. 4/3/1941 Up jumped the devil Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063329 10-in. 4/3/1941 Sally won't you come back Earl Hines Orchestra ; Madeline Green ; Three Varieties Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063330 10-in. 4/3/1941 Jersey bounce Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063331 10-in. 4/3/1941 Julia Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063332 10-in. 4/3/1941 Southside Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068400 10-in. 11/17/1941 The boy with the wistful eyes Earl Hines Orchestra ; Madeline Green ; Earl Hines ; Three Varieties Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068401 10-in. 11/17/1941 The jitney man Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068402 10-in. 11/17/1941 The earl Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068403 10-in. 11/17/1941 You don't know what love is Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-070332 10-in. 10/28/1941 Somehow Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-070333 10-in. 10/28/1941 I got it bad and that ain't good Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine ; Madeline Green ; Three Varieties Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and mixed vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-070334 10-in. 10/28/1941 I never dreamt (you'd fall in love with me) Earl Hines Orchestra ; Madeline Green ; Three Varieties Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-070335 10-in. 10/28/1941 The Father jumps Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 1-25 of 62 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Parham, Truck," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/336407.

Parham, Truck. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/336407.

"Parham, Truck." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/336407

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