The theme for the "Jazz Upstairs" concert by Expansions, the David Liebman group, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Rodale Community Room, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, is the music of John Coltrane.

"Coltrane's career, which was quite short [12 years], is usually divided into three parts," Liebman says during a phone interview.

In the early part of his career, Coltrane was most well-known as a sideman with Miles Davis, according to Liebman.

In the second part of his career, Coltrane became known as a jazz quartet band leader "when he had a major influence on the jazz scene," Liebman says.

"The late period, which is what I will be focusing on, most notable is the atmosphere of spirituality that Coltrane espoused so clearly on what is considered one of the great recordings of jazz, 'A Love Supreme.'

"In fact, we will be playing that, because it's 50 years since the recording," says Liebman.

"A Love Supreme" was released in February 1965. It is considered to be not only one of the greatest works by Coltrane (1926 - 1967), but one of the greatest-ever jazz recordings.

Liebman says the theme of spirituality is especially pertinent because the concert is dedicated to Jerry Duckett, who died Jan. 3.

Duckett, 86, of South Whitehall Township, was a long-time contributor to the Focus features section of Lehigh Valley Press, writing mostly articles about upcoming jazz concerts in the Lehigh Valley.

"Because of the spiritual overtones of this late Coltrane period, I could not think of anything more fitting than to have this music dedicated to Jerry [Duckett]," Liebman says. "He [Duckett] was a very knowledgeable guy and he was positive."

Liebman's career spans more than four decades, beginning in the early 1970s, performing and recording in the groups of drummer Elvin Jones ("Live At The Lighthouse") and Miles Davis ("On The Corner").

Liebman has consistently placed among the Top Three in the Downbeat Critics Poll for Soprano Saxophone since 1973; winning first place in both the Downbeat and Jazz Times Critic's Poll in 2011, when he also received the NEA Masters of Jazz Award. He received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Solo (1998). He is Artist in Residence at the Manhattan School of Music.

Liebman has seen the ebb and flow of the jazz scene.

"Like everything, it's a double-sided coin," the Stroudsburg, Monroe County, resident says of the state of jazz.

"The positive side is that because jazz is being taught prolifically around the world in a university setting, combined with the communicative aspect of YouTube, we now have a generation of extremely-advanced young jazz musicians unparalleled in the history of the music. And this translates musically to a proliferation of cross-breeding.

"There is more, to my mind, creativity going on, as a result of these two attributes than ever before. Musically, jazz is in great shape.

"On the other hand, because of numerous factors, the audience is dwindling and graying. The business is going down so the opportunity to perform is also. And, most importantly, there is no record business to speak of."

Liebman's latest CD, "Samsara," will be available at the Miller Symphony Hall concert. He plans to record a new CD with Expansions in April at Jim McGee's SpectraSound, Nazareth.

After that, Liebman plans a European tour. A Midwest is planned for October.

Expansions is pianist Bobby Avey, reedman Matt Vashlishan, drummer Alex Ritz, bassist Tony Marino and Liebman on soprano saxophone.

"Jazz Upstairs" tickets: Miller Symphony Hall Box Office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; allentownsymphony.org; 610-432-6715

The Jerry Duckett Memorial Jazz Fund has been set up by Sheila Evans, Executive Director of Allentown Symphony Association and Miller Symphony Hall. Checks can be made out to: Allentown Symphony Association c/o Jerry Duckett Memorial Jazz Fund, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown, Pa. 18101.