Don't miss these dates...

Band 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, creates a sound that is unmistakably honest. It can be called bluegrass. It’s without a doubt folk. It spontaneous and improvisational. It’s constantly evolving. It’s good times & great sounds.

Andrew Haller grooves on the Jews harp and Harmonica and is greatly influenced by World Music and Trance. He found bluegrass and discovered that the Jews harp fits right in there. It’s pure Rhythm. The band has dubbed him the best mouth harpist this side of the Mississippi. He may be reluctant to claim that title, but don’t let him fool you. It’s his to loose.

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 and one can tell. Joe found his way to the Token Gambler lineup by over hearing a conversation Henry had with another individual at a local gig in a pub called “Redlight”. The topic was John Hartford. Joe introduced himself. Folks who speak “John Hartford” don’t come around often. It’s funny how things line up sometimes.

Tony Macalouso is the backbone. Laying down the bottom end solid, on the Old Bass Fiddle. He’s been a mainstay of the Central Florida music scene for years. A multi-instrumentalist and a seasoned and accomplished singer, songwriter in his own right. Tony is vital to the distinct, down home vocal harmonies of the band, to go along with the mean bass fiddle for The Gamblers.

Rachel Webb is a South Carolina girl with music running through her veins. She too is a multi-instrumentalist and singer song writer. Rachel has been playing violin and fiddle since the age of 4. She grew up playing in the family bluegrass band and along the way has performed in bands crossing genres and styles of every sort. With The Token Gamblers she’s on fiddle and vocals. Her playing is melodic and free flowing as she damn near has perfect pitch to go along with her chops. When Rachel isn’t picking fiddle with The Token Gamblers she can probably be found playing a piano, guitar, bass and a mean tambourine somewhere.

Together these pieces make up The Token Gamblers. Original folk and roots music with a bluegrass slant, from an honest place. Not unlike what you’d hear in some back yard somewhere around a fire, as that’s where this whole journey began.