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 26-50 of 62 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-073459 10-in. 3/19/1942 She'll always remember Earl Hines Orchestra ; Madeline Green ; Three Varieties Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-073460 10-in. 3/19/1942 Skylark Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-073461 10-in. 3/19/1942 Second balcony jump Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-073462 10-in. 3/19/1942 Stormy Monday blues Earl Hines Orchestra ; Billy Eckstine Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 71756 10-in. 2/8/1944 Back door stuff, part 1 Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 71757 10-in. 2/8/1944 Back door stuff, part 2 Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 71758 10-in. 2/8/1944 The goon came on Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 71759 10-in. 2/8/1944 Once too often Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 71760 10-in. 2/8/1944 Jeep rhythm Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72655 10-in. 12/27/1944 I'm gonna see my baby Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72656 10-in. 12/27/1944 That someone must be you Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72657 10-in. 12/27/1944 A lover's lullaby Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72658 10-in. 12/27/1944 Oh gee, oh gosh, oh pshaw Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72659 10-in. 12/27/1944 I'm in a jam with baby Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72748 10-in. 2/27/1945 I passed through Memphis last night Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72749 10-in. 2/27/1945 Buzz-buzz-buzz Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72750 10-in. 2/27/1945 This is my confession Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 72751 10-in. 2/27/1945 I need a lift Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86741 9/2/1954 When my dreamboat comes home Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86742 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 1 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86743 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 2 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86744 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 3 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86747 9/3/1954 Judy Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86748 9/3/1954 Oh, Doctor Ochsner Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 86749 9/3/1954 Washington and Lee swing Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 26-50 of 62 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Parham, Truck," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/336407.

Parham, Truck. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/336407.

"Parham, Truck." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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