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 (Millbury resident) 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 Abletones Dectet grew out of the 18-22 piece group as a way to play the same material, but for smaller venues. Most of the arrangements were written by Gabel himself, and capture the spirit of the Big Band, just half the size. 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, 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.

Don’t forget your dancing shoes as dancing is welcome under the tent.