A longtime fixture in the Chicago trad scene, Truck Parham played in a countless number of settings during his long career. A fine athlete in his early days (including spending time playing professional football with the Chicago Negro All Stars and as a boxer), Parham was originally a drummer before switching to bass; among his teachers on the latter was Walter Page. Parham picked up early experience playing with Zack Whyte's band in the Midwest (mostly Cincinnati) during 1932-34. Back in Chicago, the bassist played regularly with Zutty Singleton and Roy Eldridge (1936-38), and occasionally with Art Tatum. After a stint with Bob Shoffner's Big Band, Parham in 1940 joined Earl Hines' big band for two years before having an extended stay with Jimmie Lunceford's Orchestra (1942-47). In Chicago, Parham was part of Muggsy Spanier's dixieland band (1950-55) and also worked with Herbie Fields (1956-57), Earl Hines and Louie Bellson. In the 1960's Parham mostly played with Art Hodes and since then he has continued playing with trad jazz groups. Although he never recorded as a leader, Parham (a good soloist and a superb accompanist) appeared on many records through the years including with Eldridge, Hines, Lunceford, Spanier, Bellson and Hodes. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi