A Celebration of James Bond girl Trina Parks at 70

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2017-12-26

Birthday for our dear friend, Trina Parks, gorgeous black dance lecturer, choreographer, principal dancer, vocalist and actress. Trina portrayed "Thumper" in the 7th James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever (1971), directed by Guy Hamilton.

With this dedicated page, we would like to send our personal wishes to Ms. Parks on her birthday.

"Dear Trina, happy birthday and much love from Sweden."

About Trina Parks:
Trina Parks was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Tennel and Charles Frazier, the well-known saxophonist of the Cab Calloway Orchestra. Trina's father inspired her to pursue a career in the arts. Trina's early musical training focused on piano and voice. At the age of thirteen, she choreographed and performed her first dance solo. In the same year she sang "Inflammatus Et Accensus" by Rossini.

She majored in Modern Dance at the New York High School of Performing Arts. Trina studied acting with director Vinette Carroll, performing in his Broadway show, The Prodigal Son. Ms. Parks had the honour of studying with Katherine Dunham and later joined her last professional Dance Company. Additional principal dancing involvement followed with the Donnie McKayle, Anna Sokolow, Tally Beatty, Geoffrey Holder and Eleo Parmare New York Dance Companies.

Trina was the first African-American Guest Artist to open the famous New Otoni Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. She also performed her own show since 1984 and continues to do so. In addition, she performed at the La Cage Club in Paris, France. The show toured Europe and the United Kingdom.

Among Parks recent performances are Palm Springs Follies (2002-2008) as the first African-American featured vocalist and dancer, Honoured Guest at Panhellic Society (2009), Award Presenter at Supreme Master TV's 4th Celebration (2010), Host for Supreme Master TV's Music and Poetry Specials (2010) and Guest Panellist at NAACP Dance in Theater (2010). She is presently working on her new theatrical tribute show, Black Diamonds Are Forever, which is intended to be performed around the world.

Editor's note: If you are interested in booking Trina Parks for a venue, call +1 (760)-309-0462. She recently launched her new James Bond inspired solo theatrical show, "Black Diamonds Are Forever". More information here.

A selection of films Trina has appeared in:
• Diamonds Are Forever (1971) - Trina portrayed Thumper, the first African-American James Bond girl, appearing with Sean Connery
• Co-starred in The Muthers (1976)
• Starring in the feature film Darktown Strutters (1975)
• The Blues Brothers
• The Great White Hope

Television appearances:
• Night Gallery: "The Phantom Farmhouse" (1971)
• McCoy (pilot)
• Dionne Warwick Special
• Telly Savalas Special
• Michel Legrand Special
• Hollywood Palace
• Dick Shawn Special

Broadway and other stage performances:
• Bittersweet
• Catch a Rising Star
• Changes
• Emperor Jones
• Her First Roman
• House of Flowers
• I Don't Want to Cry No More
• In Dahomey
• Ovid's Metamorphoses
• Sights and Sounds
• Somebody Called
• Sophisticated Ladies
• The Selling of the President
• The Snow Queen
• They're Playing Our Song
• Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.

Club and solo performances:
• America Hotel
• B Smith's
• Beverly Hilton
• Blue Note
• Coconut Grove
• Danny's Skylight Room
• Desert Inn
• Flamingo Hotel
• Gardenia Blub
• Harrah's Tahoe
• Improv
• La Mama Theater
• La Place on the Park
• Lionel Hampton Show
• Mr. Kelly's Club
• On Stage Club
• Playboy Club
• Riviera
• Sahara
• Sweet Brazil's
• Tatou's
• The 5 Spot
• Ye Little Club

Awards, certificates and nominations:
• Nominated for Best Performance by the Branch of the NAACP, Beverly Hills, California
• Principal's Award for teaching dance at Middle and Elementary Schools in Lynwood, California
• Received a Commendation from the Director of the Adult Dance Department, New York City College
• Commendation from the Eartha Kitt Cultural Arts and Dance Program
• Letter of Appreciation from Orange County High School of the Arts, California, for teaching the "Katherine Dunham" dance technique
• Letter of Appreciation from the Ziegfeld Club, New York City, for her dance contribution
• Certificate of Appreciation from Bret Harte Middle School

Photo above:
One of Trina Parks many personal portraits.

For more information about Trina Parks' film career, check out IMDB profile.

Tags:

#birthdays

#bond_girls

#trina_parks

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A Celebration of James Bond girl Trina Parks at 70

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