A native of Annapolis, in 1963 Gambone received a one-semester scholarship to the Peabody Institute and soloed with the Naval Academy Band following a formal audition process.

[3] Gambone enlisted in the Navy in 1969 after receiving his bachelor's degree in music from Towson State College (Maryland).

While there he earned a master's degree in music from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. After a tour of duty aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock (CLG 4), Gambone was assigned to the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. After three years with the Band and promotion to chief musician, he was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Assistant Budget Manager for the Navy Music Program in 1978.

In 1981, he was commissioned an ensign and reported for duty as Music Program Liaison Officer for the Navy Chief of Information in The Pentagon.

From August 1988 to June 1990, he served as Director, SEVENTH Fleet Band, stationed on board the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Yokosuka, Japan, before returning to the United States Navy Band as Assistant Leader.