The "junior" in Martin Gabriel, Jr. clearly indicates he descended from another Martin Gabriel, in this case the scion of an important New Orleans musical family. As is typical in these family names such as Marsalis, Celestin, Barbarin and others, children began playing instruments and then performing at precocious ages, quite often in family bands. The original National Orchestra of New Orleans, in existence between 1913 and 1932, was led by Martin Manuel Gabriel, Sr., who also played cornet. Martin Gabriel, Jr., an excellent clarinetist, was one of a horde of Gabriel kids in this group. The family also played together in a smaller band in which non-family members did not participate.

Of the other performing members of the family, all of whom were involved in the National Orchestra, bassist Percy Gabriel is about the best known. He traveled far and wide, establishing musical bases in more than a few major cities besides New Orleans. After he made his final move to Detroit in the '50s, clarinetist Gabriel, Jr. joined him there and the brothers co-led a traditional jazz band that worked regularly through the '70s. Appropriately enough, the group was called Gabriel's New Orleans Jazz Band. Other family giggers include uncle Albert Dude Gabriel, also a clarinetist and the father's older brother by one year. The younger generation also included Manny Gabriel on both drums and clarinet, Alberta Gabriel on piano, and Clarence Gabriel doubling piano and banjo. Martin Gabriel, Jr. has also worked as a soloist with several European groups involved in this genre of jazz, notably in Scandinavia. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi