The Token Gamblers
Gig Seeker Pro

The Token Gamblers

Band Folk Bluegrass

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"WPRK 91.5 Rollins College Radio"

Press:

Ya-hoo and yee-haw - you can't help but clap, stomp and sing-a-long with these down-home bluegrass boys who always deliver an ass-shakin good time. Their song-stories range from the ridiculously funny, to the unexpectedly familiar, to the
sweetest melodies you've heard in a long time. Love Ya'll!

~ Julie Norris
WPRK 91.5 Winter Park, FL
"Front Porch Radio"

- Julie Norris - WPRK 91.5, Front Porch Radio


"The Orlando Weekly"

When it comes to traditional folk music, bluegrass merchants the Token Gamblers are the city's cream of the crop (Nov. 6, Copper Rocket). The seven-piece string band shone much brighter than the last time I saw them at the Social, where their sonic intricacy was dulled by a stage rigged for rock. They should consider playing unplugged altogether. That's an issue of equipment, though, not talent. There's no scarcity of musicianship in this crew, which brings a youthful fire to an old-time
style.

~Bao Lee-Huu
Orlando Weekly - ~Bao Lee-Huu - Orlando Weekly Music Critic


Discography

Initial Album release, December 09

Photos

Bio

The Token Gamblers roots run deep and in many different directions. Brothers Henry and Ricky Melendy author the majority of the songs, pick Banjo and Guitar, and together with the band, create a sound that is unmistakably honest. It can be called bluegrass. It's without a doubt folk. It's spontaneous and improvisational. It's constantly evolving. It's good times & great sounds.

The brothers Melendy are country boys from Wauchula, FL. There they grew up by the old, slow Peace River. Both always having an ear for music ,they found old string band music through a non-traditional channel. Even still, the ways of the river and slow living in the rural areas of Florida are heavy influences into the songwriting and musicianship that these two brothers posses. Andrew Haller grooves on the Jews harp and Harmonica and is greatly influenced by World Music and Trance. He discovered bluegrass and found that the Jews harp has a tight fit. It's pure rhythm. Joseph Canitia picks the Mandolin with a tremendous sense of style and feel. His influences are by far too many to name. David Grisman is high on the list. Joe found his way to the Token Gambler lineup by chance. He overheard a conversation Henry was having with another individual at a gig in a pub called "Redlight Redlight". The topic was John Hartford. Joe introduced himself. Folks who speak John Hartford don't come around often. Tony Macaluso is the backbone. Laying down solid bottom end on the Old Bass Fiddle and also contributing a slew of original tunes. Tony hails from the Big Apple but has a love for roots music that is unmatched.

Together these pieces make up The Token Gamblers. It's original folk and roots music with a distinctive bluegrass drive.