Earl Okin - Rachel Sutton - 50th Anniversary

INTRO WRITTEN BY STEVE RUBIE: I first met Earl Okin at the old Club back in the 1970’s, several years before I actually took it over.

With his hat and spats, always dapper and immaculately turned out, he was one of the first musicians I ever heard playing in that tiny, dingy, basement in the Kings Road.

Still performing today at the highest level he is one of the last links to those early days and no 606 Club Festival could possibly be complete without him.

Also on this afternoon’s bill is the wonderful singer and very good friend Rachel Sutton.

Back in the day Sunday afternoons were a time for recovery! However, as the Club matured and expanded its horizons here at Lots Road more and more people asked if they could bring their young children.

Sunday afternoon seemed the perfect time for that and the Sunday afternoon sessions were born.

And one of the very first performers to appear here on a Sunday afternoon was Rachel, who has helped us turn an occasional gig in to a regular event in the Club’s programme.Singer-songwriter, musician and comedian Earl Okin has been entertaining audiences worldwide with his unique brand of music and wit for six decades now.

His repertoire of quirky humour, combined with first-rate playing of modern jazz and Bossa Nova compositions mark him out as a unique talent.

His CV includes touring with Paul McCartney & Wings, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe 500 times and working alongside such jazz legends as Adelaide Hall, Stéphane Grappelli and Dame Cleo Laine.

He’s an absolute treasure!Rachel Sutton trained at The Welsh College of Music and Drama and her background in theatre is at the core of every performance.

With a rich tone and sense of swing that is both exciting and moving, Rachel performs her own arrangements of classics from The American Songbook together with her beautiful original compositions which have been hailed as 'a revelation' by Jazz Views.

A 606 favourite, her album “A Million Conversations” was received with considerable acclaim and her highly-anticipated second album, ‘Realms’, released earlier this year, was described by Jazz Views as 'utterly and completely engaging'.“Okin…exceptional…an utter delight” The Scotsman; "Sutton…immaculate vocals and bursting-with-life stage presence...a must see" Cabaret Scenes