Martin Gabriel

The National Orchestra was a historic extended New Orleans jazz ensemble that existed for nearly two decades beginning in 1913. Martin Gabriel, whose full name was Martin Manuel Gabriel Sr., played both cornet in the group and seemed to be the nominal leader; at any rate, the group ceased functioning following his death in 1932. The well-known New Orleans jazz cornet and trumpet player Freddie Keppard was a member of this group, but he was just one of many players outnumbered by members of the Gabriel family. The Gabriel name, as is typical with musical family dynasties from ...