Jonathan Hyams
Guitar, vocals, trumpet

Jonathan initially formed Shallow Roots as a duo with Rob Vasey shortly after settling in Bristol in 2005. Jonathan has performed in and led many bands including The Afro Dizzy Acts, The Open Band, The Heartbeats and The Memos. He is the principal songwriter and arranger.

Rob Vasey
Guitar, vocals

Rob started Shallow Roots together with Jonathan, from duo through trio, quintet, sextet and now 8-piece band. He provides a rich and percussive guitar as the essential backbone of all the songs. Rob is very active on the Bristol music scene and plays in several bands and is also a promoter. His own band is Neureille. He is a long-serving exponent of experimental post-punk and avant-garde song-writing.

Romilly Gibbs
Soprano sax

Romilly plays the wonderful soaring solos that are so distinctive to Shallow Roots. She plays a key role in the horn arrangements. She has been in several Bristol bands including Meet Your Feet. She has been with Shallow Roots almost from the start. She is a superb and very talented improviser.

Jamie Darwen
Tenor and soprano saxes

Jamie plays both tenor and soprano saxes and gives us that great gutsy sound with driving solos.

Carol Arnold
Alto sax

Carol brings the lovely mellow sound of the alto sax to Shallow Roots. She also plays in Mendip Swing Big Band, the Ambling Band, and Magna Jazz. Loves the sax harmonies, and the wonderful Latin, Spanish, and African rhythms of Shallow Roots.

Rosalind Moreno-Parra
Vocals

Rosalind's powerful and beautiful voice expands the character of the band’s sound. With her Spanish roots, she excels on many of our Spanish language songs. She loves Ladino and Spanish folk music and has her own band in Bristol.

Tina Holmes
Bass guitar

We welcome Tina as our latest addition to the band. She is a guitarist and bass guitarist but is only playing the 4 strings for us! She is delighted to jump straight in and join Shallow Roots following Adam Coombs's decision to concentrate on his own music. Tina has been in several bands, including as the guitarist/backing vocalist in the 9-piece Meet Your Feet since 2008. She has always been drawn to the power and energy that rhythm brings to music, so is loving the Latin and Afro grooves with us!

Jeremy Arnold
Drums and percussion

Jeremy plays drums, congas and cajon. He has recently joined Shallow Roots and is enjoying the opportunity. He is a highly experienced drummer having played with various Bristol bands over the years - punk, rock, funk, soul, and jazz.