Jolin Folk Musicale: Orrtanna
Orrtanna
Catharine Roth and Tom Jolin have performed together since 1974, playing and singing “old time” music. They have entertained audiences along the east coast from New England to the Southern Appalachian states.
The multi-talented musicians play many instruments in concert. Roth plays the guitar, autoharp and mountain dulcimer. Her pure, earthy voice leaves one spellbound. Jolin performs on the hammer dulcimer, button accordion, banjo, harmonica and guitar. He is also a dulcimer maker. Their voices form an exceptionally warm blend.
They make their respective homes near Orrtanna, PA. Jolin was born and raised in Wisconsin and relocated to Pennsylvania in 1971. Roth was born and raised a “stones throw” from her present home. After several years away from the area as a student and teacher, she happily returned to her native Orrtanna in 1974.
Their music is traditional American and draws heavily from Scottish, Irish, African, English and German backgrounds. Many of the tunes are hundreds of years old, but the style peaked in the 1920’s and 30’s when mountain musicians were routinely recorded by record companies trying to cash in on the popularity. The music varies from foot stomping to tear jerking to belly laughing. But whatever the tune, it is solidly connected to life and its ups and downs.
With over 33 years of continuous partnership, Jolin and Roth first performed together with the WEST ORRTANNA STRING BAND, which made two albums and recorded short historic segments for National Public Radio. In 1988 several members formed the ORRTANNA MOUNTAIN STEAMERS, which performed extensively and made two more albums. In 2005 all the recordings of these two groups were archived into a three disc set, “Traditional Music From Orrtanna.” Funding was provided by The Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts and The Adams County Arts Council. Sets reside at The William Penn Museum, Pennsylvania State Library, Smithsonian Folkways and many libraries.
In 1998, Jolin and Roth formed ORRTANNA, an “old time” traditional duet, which also released an album. Their music remains heart warming, happy and lively.
The multi-talented musicians play many instruments in concert. Roth plays the guitar, autoharp and mountain dulcimer. Her pure, earthy voice leaves one spellbound. Jolin performs on the hammer dulcimer, button accordion, banjo, harmonica and guitar. He is also a dulcimer maker. Their voices form an exceptionally warm blend.
They make their respective homes near Orrtanna, PA. Jolin was born and raised in Wisconsin and relocated to Pennsylvania in 1971. Roth was born and raised a “stones throw” from her present home. After several years away from the area as a student and teacher, she happily returned to her native Orrtanna in 1974.
Their music is traditional American and draws heavily from Scottish, Irish, African, English and German backgrounds. Many of the tunes are hundreds of years old, but the style peaked in the 1920’s and 30’s when mountain musicians were routinely recorded by record companies trying to cash in on the popularity. The music varies from foot stomping to tear jerking to belly laughing. But whatever the tune, it is solidly connected to life and its ups and downs.
With over 33 years of continuous partnership, Jolin and Roth first performed together with the WEST ORRTANNA STRING BAND, which made two albums and recorded short historic segments for National Public Radio. In 1988 several members formed the ORRTANNA MOUNTAIN STEAMERS, which performed extensively and made two more albums. In 2005 all the recordings of these two groups were archived into a three disc set, “Traditional Music From Orrtanna.” Funding was provided by The Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts and The Adams County Arts Council. Sets reside at The William Penn Museum, Pennsylvania State Library, Smithsonian Folkways and many libraries.
In 1998, Jolin and Roth formed ORRTANNA, an “old time” traditional duet, which also released an album. Their music remains heart warming, happy and lively.