Big Band leader and renowned trombonist Rob Stoneback scales down and brings his septet to Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, 7:30 p.m. April 17, for the monthly "Jazz Upstairs" series.

The Lehigh Valley native, who calls Whitehall home, has played behind notable names like Aretha Franklin, Sonny and Cher, Johnny Mathis and Natalie Cole.

When asked about his preferred style, Stoneback says, "I'm pretty much a straight-ahead jazz guy, meaning that I usually do standards, maybe a little Be-Bop, some Dixieland. Everything is pretty melodic because that's the way I like stuff."

For the Rodale Community Room performance, listeners can expect to hear selections from George Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington, amongst others. "Nothing too far out or avant-garde," Stoneback explains.

Stoneback's lineup this outing includes several musicians with whom he has performed alongside in his Big Band. "The septet includes, of course, myself on trombone," he says, "Andy Gravish on trumpet, Ken Moyer on saxophone, Marty Mellinger on piano, Brian Bortz is on bass, Ronnie Reiterman is on drums and my female vocalist from my Big Band, Robin Work."

Stoneback has longtime musical connections with many of his septet members, all of whom are highly-regarded within and outside the jazz community.

"I've known Andy [Gravish] since he was 16. He spent a couple years on the road with Buddy Rich. He's a top-notch jazz musician," he says.

"Kenny [Moyer] and I have known each other since I was 15 and he was 18. He's an excellent arranger for my Big Band, as well as a great saxophone player.

"Brian Bortz was my original bass player with my Big Band when we started 36 years ago. He's known around the Valley. He plays with Fusion Jazz Trio. He does a lot of funk stuff and various other things."

"Robin Work has been with my Big Band for several years and she's a great jazz vocalist. She sings very low, almost like in the baritone range. Most of my arrangements for my Big Band have been written for a standard alto voice, so we are still trying to come up with arrangements for her in the Big Band. But in the smaller group, she can really let show all the fine qualities she has in her voice and all the talent that she has."

The "Jazz Upstairs" concert is a rare opportunity to see Stoneback perform with the septet, which is more or less a special project. He is primarily a Big Band musician. The septet last performed in September at a grand opening event for PPL Center. Stoneback describes that show as a "meet and greet, cocktail and hors d'oeuvres kind of thing."

Stoneback is eager to bring the septet out for a spin once more to Symphony Hall. This marks the third time over the years the group has performed at the downtown Allentown venue.

"If people want to hear jazz that's swinging," he says, "it doesn't mean we are just only going to play swing. We will play a couple funky things."