About
A Legacy in Brass: The History of the Great American Brass Band Festival
More than three decades of music, community, and tradition in the heart of Kentucky.
In 1990, a remarkable musical tradition began in Danville, Kentucky, bringing together a community, a love of brass band music, and a vision for an event unlike any other. Founded by George Foreman and Vince DiMartino, the Great American Brass Band Festival began with a simple but ambitious idea: to celebrate the extraordinary versatility of brass instruments and share the power of live music with audiences from near and far.
What started as a celebration of brass band music has grown into one of Kentucky's most distinctive cultural events, welcoming world-class musicians, dedicated music lovers, and families from across the United States and around the world. More than three decades later, the Great American Brass Band Festival continues to bring the sounds of brass to the streets, parks, and historic spaces of Danville, creating experiences that connect generations through music.
A Festival Rooted in Community
From its earliest days, the Great American Brass Band Festival has been shaped by the spirit of the Danville community. Local organizations, businesses, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters came together to help establish an event that would become an enduring source of pride for the region.
The festival found a natural home in Danville, a community rich in history, culture, and Southern hospitality. With the beautiful campus of Centre College and the charm of downtown Danville as its backdrop, the festival offers a setting where extraordinary musical performances meet the welcoming atmosphere of a small Kentucky town.
Over the years, the event has grown in scope and reputation, attracting outstanding performers and enthusiastic audiences while remaining true to its founding principles: celebrate exceptional music, strengthen community connections, and make the arts accessible to everyone.
Over the years, the event has grown in scope and reputation, attracting outstanding performers and enthusiastic audiences while remaining true to its founding principles: celebrate exceptional music, strengthen community connections, and make the arts accessible to everyone.
Celebrating the Many Voices of Brass
The Great American Brass Band Festival is distinguished by its remarkable musical diversity. While traditional brass band music remains at its heart, the festival has continually embraced the many ways brass instruments shape the musical landscape.
Audiences have experienced everything from traditional British-style brass bands and historic American ensembles to New Orleans jazz, Dixieland, big band, funk, soul, and contemporary brass performances. This variety reflects the rich history of brass music while demonstrating its continuing ability to evolve, inspire, and bring people together.
By welcoming musicians representing different traditions, styles, and backgrounds, the festival creates opportunities for audiences to discover unfamiliar sounds, revisit beloved musical traditions, and experience the artistry of exceptional performers.
The result is a celebration that honors the past while embracing the future of brass music.
Music That Educates and Inspires
Education has always been an important part of the festival's mission. Beyond the performances themselves, the Great American Brass Band Festival creates opportunities for musicians, students, and audiences to learn from one another.
Through educational programs, masterclasses, presentations, and opportunities to interact with accomplished performers, the festival helps foster a deeper appreciation for brass instruments and their place in musical history.
These experiences introduce new generations to the joy of music-making, encourage aspiring musicians to develop their talents, and preserve the traditions that have shaped brass band music over the years.
For seasoned musicians and first-time listeners alike, the festival offers something more than entertainment: an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.
A National and International Destination
What began as a community-driven musical celebration has developed into an event with a reach far beyond Kentucky's borders. Each year, musicians and visitors travel to Danville from across the country and internationally, bringing diverse experiences, perspectives, and traditions to the festival.
This broad reach helps place Danville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky on the national and international arts map. The festival showcases the region as a destination for exceptional cultural experiences while introducing visitors to the history, hospitality, and beauty of the Bluegrass.
Its influence extends beyond the concert stages. Visitors support local restaurants, hotels, shops, and other businesses, contributing to the region's tourism economy and demonstrating how arts and culture can serve as meaningful drivers of economic development.
The festival's combination of world-class music, a welcoming atmosphere, and a uniquely beautiful setting makes it an experience that cannot easily be replicated elsewhere.
A Tradition That Remains Free for Everyone
One of the most enduring commitments of the Great American Brass Band Festival is its dedication to accessibility. As a free, family-friendly event, the festival invites people of all ages and backgrounds to experience outstanding live music without the barrier of an admission fee.
That commitment is made possible through the generosity of sponsors, donors, community partners, and volunteers who believe in the importance of music, education, and shared cultural experiences.
Their support ensures that the festival remains a gathering place for the entire community, where families can create memories, visitors can discover something new, and audiences can experience the excitement of live performance together.
This spirit of generosity reflects the very foundation upon which the festival was built: a belief that great music should be shared and that the arts have the power to enrich lives and strengthen communities.
The Legacy Continues
More than three decades after its founding, the Great American Brass Band Festival remains a defining part of Danville's cultural identity and a distinctive celebration of America's musical heritage.
Its history is not measured solely in years or performances, but in the musicians who have shared their talents, the audiences who have gathered to listen, the students who have found inspiration, and the volunteers and supporters who have made it all possible.
Every festival adds another chapter to this story, bringing new sounds, new friendships, and new memories to a tradition that continues to grow.
As the Great American Brass Band Festival looks toward the future, its mission remains steadfast: to preserve and celebrate brass band music, provide exceptional educational and artistic experiences, strengthen its community, and welcome the world to Danville, Kentucky.
The music continues. The tradition endures. And the legacy of the Great American Brass Band Festival grows stronger with every note.
Experience the legend for yourself.
Mission
The Great American Brass Band Festival is a community event showcasing brass band music through performance and education. The Festival preserves brass band music and explores its cultural influences through a variety of programs and presentations, featuring the best brass musicians in the world.
Accessibility
The GABBF has been conscious of our attendees with disabilities. We have a handicap-accessible parking lot on Centre College's campus, located at the back of campus at the corner of Maple Ave/Walnut Street. We then also provide golf cart shuttles, free of charge, from the parking lots to the main stage area. We offer handicap-accessible bathrooms. We are happy to individualize an accessibility plan to suit your needs. Please do not hesitate to call us with questions, concerns, or ideas.
We have a number of volunteer opportunities for people with mobility concerns, hearing impairment, and mild intellectual disabilities. Contact us for full details.
Get Involved
GABBF wouldn't happen without our wonderful community of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer during the festival weekend, email gabbf@gabbf.org. We have many available opportunities- from Pepsi trailer to helping set up, decorating, working in the merchandise tent, and more! We would love you to have your join our team.
Contact Us
P.O. Box 429
Danville, KY 40423
info@gabbf.org
Giving
The Great American Brass Band Festival is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supported by the generosity of our donors and sponsors. Every donation helps us keep the Festival going.
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