Earl Okin is a triple threat. One of the finest of Jazz/Bossa Nova singers around anywhere. (not forgetting the legendary ‘vocal trumpet’ solos). A world-class songwriter and one of the top music-comedy comedians on the circuit. He has performed over 500 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe since 1983! Most importantly, however, Earl is one of the ‘First 500’. He took his degree at Kent in Philosophy 1965-68.
While studying at Kent in 1966, he was signed to the same company as The Beatles and recorded his first single at Abbey Road in 1967. Some of his songs were covered during the 1960s by Cilla Black, Georgie Fame and Helen Shapiro.
During the 1970s, Earl started to perform in large venues, beginning with folk acts such as Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention. He progressed to open for such varied performers as Jean-Luc Ponty and Van Morrison. However, it was the 1979 tour with Paul McCartney and Wings which prompted him to pursue his musical career full-time.
In 1981, he appeared on The Parkinson Show and was invited by Nigel Planer to perform at The Comic Strip. This led to his second career on the “alternative comedy” circuit where he remains a headline act.
Earl continues to work as a songwriter and jazz singer/musician, with a particular interest in Bossa Nova. He gives concerts in Brazil from time to time, as well as touring his one-man show, a mixture of music and comedy, worldwide. He has performed in New York at Birdland, The Apollo and other jazz venues. In addition, he toured India, Singapore, and other nearby countries. He has also performed at most major venues in London, including the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall, The Palladium and Wembley Arena.
In February he will be returning to campus to play at the Gulbenkian! You can book tickets online.