Pharis & Jason Romero

Singing vibrant duets, writing incredible songs, playing handmade banjos and old acoustic guitars, Pharis and Jason Romero have a classic story. When some scratchy old records and a custom banjo led to their meeting in 2007, they quickly knew they were in for the long haul. 

Until then, Pharis had been living in Victoria, and Jason was deeply embedded in California. Both had been playing music for decades and they shared a love of old songs. When Pharis sent Jason a copy of a 1928 recording, Hoyt Ming’s “Tupelo Blues”, the deal was sealed and they married 3 months later.

In 2010 they moved their home and banjo fabricating business to Horsefly, British Columbia where Pharis originally hails from. Surrounded by wilderness and good people, they have continued to build banjos and play music. Over the years, they’ve recorded eight records, won four JUNOs, and have managed to keep everything going  – even after their workshop caught fire and almost all of their earthly possessions were destroyed in 2016. 

After that, there was nothing to do but pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start all over again.  Pharis and Jason are the real deal, and their performances at this year’s festival are definitely not to be missed!

– Doug Heselgrave