Pharis Romero is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and banjo builder from Horsefly, British Columbia. With her husband Jason Romero she has recorded as Pharis and Jason Romero since 2007. The duo has won four Juno Awards for Traditional Roots Album of the Year (2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023) and seven Canadian Folk Music Awards. The two also build banjos under the name J. Romero Banjos.
Why Romero matters
Romero shows what rhythm guitar can do in a duo. With one banjo and one guitar there is nowhere to hide. Her guitar sets the pulse, fills the low end, and frames her singing. She writes new songs in old forms, and the duo’s records have won four Junos on the strength of them. She is also one of the few working players who builds the instruments she plays.
Life and career
Romero grew up in Horsefly, a small town in the interior of British Columbia. She played from a young age in her family’s country band and had classical training. She co-founded the band Outlaw Social, which released two albums between 2006 and 2009.
She met Jason Romero at an old-time fiddle jam, and the two formed a duo in 2007. They played together in the Haints Old Time Stringband with fiddler Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones, and that band released Shout Monah in 2009. In 2010 the couple moved to Horsefly and set up J. Romero Banjos. That year they released Back Up and Push with nineteen west coast fiddlers.
Their duo records followed: A Passing Glimpse (2011), Long Gone Out West Blues (2013), A Wanderer I’ll Stay (2015), Sweet Old Religion (2018), Bet on Love (2020), and Tell ‘Em You Were Gold (Smithsonian Folkways, 2022). In 2016 a fire destroyed their banjo shop. They rebuilt it and later turned the space into a recording studio. Their 2026 album, These Are the Days That Turn in to Years, was recorded in their restored barn with fiddler Trent Freeman, bassist Patrick Metzger, and singer Marin Patenaude.
Playing style
Romero plays rhythm guitar in the old-time and early country style. She keeps the pulse steady and leaves space for Jason’s banjo and for the vocal. The duo’s records have few long guitar breaks. The guitar’s job is time, tone, and support.
Her singing is the other half of her sound. She has won Traditional Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards three times. On the records the guitar follows her vocal phrasing rather than pushing it.
Influences and legacy
Romero learned in a family country band and in the old-time jam scene of British Columbia. Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones were bandmates in the Haints. Guests on the duo’s records include mandolin player John Reischman, Trent Freeman, Marc Jenkins, and Patrick Metzger. She has served as artistic director of the Voice Works singing workshop. The couple build the banjos they record with under the name J. Romero Banjos.
Signature tunes and songs
A Wanderer I’ll Stay Cannot Change It All Lost Lula Old Bill’s Tune Back Up and Push.
Essential recordings
A Passing Glimpse (2011) A Wanderer I’ll Stay (2015) Sweet Old Religion (2018) Bet on Love (2020) Tell ‘Em You Were Gold (Smithsonian Folkways, 2022)
Awards and honors
Canadian Folk Music Award, New/Emerging Artist of the Year, with Jason Romero (2012) Independent Music Award, Americana Album of the Year, with Jason Romero (2012) Canadian Folk Music Award, Traditional Singer of the Year (2013) Juno Award, Traditional Roots Album of the Year, A Wanderer I’ll Stay (2016) Western Canadian Music Award, Songwriter of the Year, with Jason Romero (2016) Juno Award, Traditional Roots Album of the Year, Sweet Old Religion (2019) Juno Award, Traditional Roots Album of the Year, Bet on Love (2021) Juno Award, Traditional Roots Album of the Year, Tell ‘Em You Were Gold (2023) Seven Canadian Folk Music Awards in total, including three for Traditional Singer of the Year and two for Vocal Group of the Year
Watch and listen
Pharis and Jason Romero play Old Bill’s Tune at home in Horsefly for Smithsonian Folkways. Watch how her guitar holds the beat under the banjo.
The duo plays Lost Lula for KEXP at Pickathon.
What to learn from Romero
Learn Back Up and Push, the tune that named the duo’s 2010 fiddle record. The technique to steal is her duo rhythm. Play a song with one banjo or fiddle player and no bass. Keep the bass note firm on beats one and three, keep the strum quiet, and never speed up. That is the whole job, and it is harder than a fast break.
Sources
Bio and press, Pharis and Jason Romero Bio, Pharis and Jason Romero Pharis and Jason Romero, Wikipedia 2019 Juno Award winners, official ballot
Related players
See the guitar players hub and the guitar guide for more rhythm players. Romero played in the Haints with fiddler Erynn Marshall, and Trent Freeman plays on her records. For another guitarist who leads a duo from the rhythm chair, see Norman Blake.