Dan Gabel

Hailed by the Boston Globe as “the real deal, [a bandleader] that looks and sounds like the 1940s” and by the Syncopated Times as “the champion of Big Bands and vintage jazz”, Dan Gabel is a trombonist, arranger, bandleader, historian, and educator. His popular Big Band, Dan Gabel and The Abletones, has played throughout the northeast and is featured on numerous recordings and video/television programs. The band features a vintage look and sound, and “brings an authentic and exciting show for dancers and listeners.”

Some of the band’s recent engagements include: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Inaugural Ball, Gov. Deval Patrick, Scullers Jazz Club, Mechanics Hall, The Hanover Theatre, Museum of American Armor (Long Island), Veterans Inc, Tall Ships/Newburyport Maritime Museum, Star Island (NH), many non-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, weddings, ballrooms, and swing dances everywhere.

Dan Gabel worked full-time with the Glenn Miller Orchestra on a a year-long world tour, and plays with many other groups. Gabel was chosen as the Musical Director of the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra, as well as curator of Monroe’s archive and biographer. Since 2014 he has served as the President and CEO of the American Big Band Preservation Society, a non-profit organization based in Boston and dedicated to preserving, promoting, and performing while keeping music in our schools. Dan Gabel holds two bachelor’s degrees from UMass Amherst, and a Masters Degree from New England Conservatory.

Considered an expert in Jazz, Big Bands, and the Great American Songbook, Gabel has presented lectures at many colleges and universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Indiana University. Gabel also founded and directs the Worcester Youth Jazz Orchestra, part of the Youth Orchestra program for young musicians in central New England. He can also be seen leading the High Society Orchestra (Hot Jazz of the Roaring 20s) from the drums, a busy arranger and member of ASCAP, or as a musician with a Brass Quintet, theatre pit, symphony orchestras, backing up pop singers like B. J. Thomas, or various other musical settings. When not on the bandstand or in the studio, Dan enjoys reading, traveling, hiking National Parks, and chasing trains.

Recordings Available: Yes, Indeed! (2010) - RMI • Homesick for New England (2012) - RMI • Business in ‘F’ (2014) - PBS • Happy Feet (2017) - PBS Records • The Abletones Live! (2018) - GMR • By the Fireside (2019) - RMI Film: • The Vaughn Monroe Show DVD/streaming (2018) • Happy Holidays TV/streaming (2020)

Awards

Entrepreneurial Musician Grant, New England Conservatory, 2014 Presidential Scholarship, New England Conservatory, 2012 Commonwealth Honors College: Dean's Award, 2012 "Award 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 Music Scholarship, 2007.

Gear

King (Conn/Selmer) Trombone Artist: -1935 King 2-B "Silvertone" (Sterling Silver) -1941 Conn 8H -1952 King 2-B "Liberty" -1948 Bach 36 silver straight tenor -1970 Benge 190F w/F attachment Vaughn Monroe: -1951 Getzen "Tone Balanced" valve trombone (belonged to Vaughn Monroe) -1894 cornet (belonged to Vaughn Monroe circa 1918-1973) Cornet: -1935 King "Silvertone" -Austin Custom Brass TB1A mouthpiece Tuba: -1932 King 24 Recording Bell BBb -1928 King Cleveland Sousaphone Drums: -1928 Leedy Traps Kit (2nd owner): bass drum, tack tom, floor tack tom -1928 Leedy "Black Beauty" snare -100% Leedy hardware -Zildjian 1920s era choke, sock, and china cymbal -1928 Leedy (stamped) hi-sock

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