Octa Clark

Octa Clark

Octa Clark (born 1904 in Judice, Louisiana; died September 11, 1998 in Lafayette, Louisiana) was a Cajun accordion player most known for his recordings of Cajun music.

His father was a farmer and accordion player. He learned to play the instrument when he was 9 and dropped out of school in the third grade.

"I didn't like school," he said."It was too far to walk - about threee miles. I used to forget everything I learned on the walk home."

Octa started performing at age 14. He released his third recording in 1993 at the age of 89. He could neither read nor write music. Instead, he would make up songs on the Cajun accordion and hope to remember them when he performed.

He stated, "You can't go wrong if you play it right"

In 1928, he hooked up with Hector Duhon, a fellow farmer and fiddler who became his musical partner for most of his career. The two formed the Dixie Ramblers and roamed Acadiana between planting and harvest seasons, playing at dance halls and house dances. In the 1980s, Clark took over the house band at Mulate's restaurant in Breaux Bridge.

Octa passed up opportunities to play around the world as Cajun music gained broad appeal in the 1970s. He repeatedly turned down prestigious events such as the National Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. and declined chances to play in Europe and Japan. He was content to work in the Lafayette area most of his career, with occasional recording sessions in New Orleans.

Octa is buried in Maurice, Louisiana.

Discography

• Octa Clark Old Time Cajun Music (CD 9018 Arhoolie Records, 1981)
• Ensemble Encore (Rounder Select Records, January 1992)
• Cajun Spice: Dance Music from South Louisiana (CDROUN11550 Rounder Records, 1989)

See Also

• List of Notable People Related to Cajun Music