Biography
A veteran presence on Chicago’s traditional jazz circuit, Truck Parham appeared in an extraordinary variety of ensembles throughout his lengthy working life. An accomplished athlete in his youth, he played professional football for the Chicago Negro All Stars and also boxed before taking up music; initially a drummer, he later concentrated on bass under the guidance of Walter Page. His first steady work came with Zack Whyte’s group across the Midwest, chiefly in Cincinnati, between 1932 and 1934. Returning to Chicago, he became a regular member of the bands led by Zutty Singleton and Roy Eldridge from 1936 to 1938 and sat in from time to time with Art Tatum. After a period with Bob Shoffner’s orchestra, Parham joined Earl Hines’s big band in 1940 for a two-year engagement, then moved to Jimmie Lunceford’s Orchestra, remaining until 1947. Back in his hometown he performed with Muggsy Spanier’s Dixieland unit from 1950 to 1955, followed by associations with Herbie Fields in 1956–57 and further work alongside both Earl Hines and Louie Bellson. During the 1960s his primary affiliation was with Art Hodes, after which he continued performing with traditional jazz ensembles. Although he never led a recording session, Parham, valued as both a capable soloist and an exceptional accompanist, contributed to numerous dates with Eldridge, Hines, Lunceford, Spanier, Bellson, and Hodes.