Octa Clark


Octa Clark was an American Cajun accordion player. Clark was a local Lafayette area musician and made three recordings of Cajun music.

Career

He started recording at the age of 13, and released his third recording in 1989, at the age of 89. His recording in 1989 was produced by his grandson, Glen Clark. In 1928, he became music partners with fellow farmer and fiddler Hector Duhon and the two formed the Dixie Ramblers. When they weren't working on their farms, they would play at dance halls. During the 1980s, Clark took over the house band that played at Mulate's, a club that wasn't doing well and aided in its revival. He repeatedly turned down prestigious events and opportunities to play in Europe and Japan saying, in an interview in 1993, "I don't like to travel. Too much trouble. I've got everything I need right here."

Death

Clark died in 1998 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana and is buried in Maurice, Louisiana. He was survived by two sons, a daughter, nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Discography