Robirohi keep their word despite tragedy

Richard Hurst of the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, reports:

10 December

Dear friends,

I write to inform you of the tragic news that Robirohi's fine violinist and vocalist, Tarmo Vardja, was killed in a car crash in Estonia on Saturday last, 8 December, whilst on his way to meet the rest of the band members for a performance that night.

The band decided to go ahead and fulfil their engagements in Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland this week and flew into Dublin earlier this morning. They will take to the stage in Trinity Methodist Church Hall in Lisburn tonight, Monday 10 December, without their fiddle player of the last ten years.

I will be meeting the band this afternoon as I have been asked to compere at the concert tonight. We are filled with admiration that, in spite of the deep sadness and hurt they must be feeling, they have decided to go ahead with their four-night tour and will return to Estonia on Friday in time for Tarmo's funeral, which I believe is scheduled to take place next Saturday, 15 December.

More information will be made available in the coming days, I'm sure. I understand that Tarmo was 57 years old and the father of seven grown-up children.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

11 December

Last night [Monday 10 December] Robirohi performed to a highly appreciative audience in Trinity Methodist Church Hall in Lisburn. Their fine musicianship and harmony vocals impressed all in the auditorium. When the audience learned of the tragic and sudden death of band member Tarmo Vardja many wept and remembered with fondness his contribution to Robirohi's performances only a few short weeks ago at the Ulster American Folk Park's Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival.

The band are obviously finding it very difficult to come to terms with the enormity of it all, and their thoughts and those of the audience in Northern Ireland were firmly fixed on Tarmo's wife and their seven children last night. As well as being an integral part of Robirohi for the past decade, he was a violinist with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Many fellow Estonian musicians will mourn his loss in the days and weeks to come.

Robert, Aivar, Indrek, & Jurgis will perform in Monaghan, Cookstown, and Newry over the next three evenings, and I urge as many followers of the music in Ireland as possible to try and attend one of their concerts to enjoy their music, and perhaps say hello and let them know we are thinking of Tarmo's wife, family, and all in Robirohi.