Born: September 18, 1988 Primary Instrument: Trombone
About Dan Gabel:
Dan Gabel is an in-demand bandleader, trombonist, arranger, historian, and is the CEO and President of the American Big Band Preservation Society, Inc. (ABBPS), a Boston-based not- for-profit organization.
Gabel began his professional music life at age 14, playing trombone in local Big Bands. In 2003, following his dream to have his own big band, Dan formed “Dan Gabel and The Abletones” with his best friend and drummer, Jim Gancarz. The Abletones have played to great acclaim at the “Brown Bag Concert” series at Mechanic’s Hall in Worcester, “Jazz at Sunset” series at the Worcester EcoTarium and most recently at the Champlain Valley Exposition Center in Burlington, Vermont. The Abletones also enjoy playing at many retirement communities and nursing homes. They released their first CD, “Yes, Indeed,” in December 2010, recording with vintage tube and ribbon microphones to get that authentic live Big Band sound! Dan plays on a vintage 1935 King “Silvertone” trombone regularly, in keeping with his attention to historic detail.
In 2009, Gabel played trombone with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, enjoying a year-long trip that included 46 states, Canada and an extensive tour of Japan. Dan has also played with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Hal McIntyre Orchestra, The Wolverine Jazz Band, Debby Boone, Rob Zapulla, Chris Vadala, Sheila Jordan and many others. As a student of historical arranging techniques and early jazz arrangers, Dan has cultivated a special talent and passion for arranging music and recently did an original commission for the Torrington Symphony Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary concert. He has also done arrangements by commission for the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, the University of N. Iowa, Drake University, UMass, The Jolly Kopperschmidts German Band, marching bands and jazz combos. Dan is also an avid vintage vinyl record collector (1100 and counting!) as well as jazz/big band memorabilia.
Dan Gabel is a proud alumnus of UMass Amherst with a double major in Political Science, and with a Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) major, focusing on “Jazz History.” He is currently studying for a Master's and DMA at the New England Conservatory in Jazz Performance.
Mr. Gabel is also the President and CEO of the American Big Band Preservation Society, Inc. (ABBPS). This non-profit 501(c)3 organization is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and performing Big Band music through the collection of vintage unpublished arrangements, school programs, and concerts/dances.
Awards:
Commonwealth Honors College: Dean's Award, 2012 (Presented to Daniel C. Gabel for outstanding research work for his Capstone Thesis: "The Pioneering Jazz Arrangements of Bill Challis, History and Analysis" BDIC Research Award, 2011. Michael Killorian Memorial Scholarship, 2007.“It's nearly impossible to convey the overwhelming response we received to your concert” ”The musical selections were a perfect mix” -Friends of the Princeton Library, Princeton, MA
“You clearly love what you do, and you put on a great show”
-Donna, Princeton, MA
“A great job of featuring each musician as well as interacting with the audience”
-Susan, Hopedale, MA
“Exciting concert! Very Able Tones!”
-Mary, Princeton, MA
“This is the best band we've heard since dancing to Tommy Dorsey in 1945, and you even gave him a run for the money!” -Joe, Melrose, MA
“We always seek out wherever the Abletones are playing, we love dancing to this kind of music, and Dan has the best band around for it!” -Richard, Dudley, MA
“This is the most fun we've had at any school dance! Can you play at our prom next year?” -High School students Drew and Antoinette, Worcester, MA
“It occurred to me that everything you do is high-class: the band's presentation, look, and sound all have a polished air of sophistication missing in much of today's music.” -Dr. Daniel Gordon, Professor of History, Amherst, MA, December 2011.
Primary Instrument:
Trombone
Location:
Webster, MA
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
