You may not be familiar with the music of Larry Carlton, but you have probably heard it.

“An Evening of the Music of Larry Carlton Presented by Craig Thatcher & Friends” is 7:30 p.m. March 18, Main Stage, “Jazz OnStage” series, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown.

As a session musician, Carlton played on many well-known hit records. If someone does not know who Carlton is, Thatcher says he will give examples of his music and ask, “‘Do you remember this song? Or this one? You have heard him if you ever watched ‘Hill Street Blues.’” Carlton played guitar on the theme song for the television series.

“Carlton is held in the highest regard in blues, rock and jazz,” says Thatcher.

Carlton has worked with a variety of artists, including Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Bland, Andy Williams and the Partridge Family.

Songs in the Miller Symphony Hall concert are expected to include “Josie” and “Kid Charlemagne,” which featured Carlton on the Steely Dan recordings, and “Put It Where You Want It,” from his work with jazz-fusion group, the Crusaders. There will also be original compositions by Carlton and Thatcher.

“I’ve been a fan of his [Carlton] since the seventies,” says Thatcher. “I’ve always wanted to do something with Larry Carlton’s music, but the opportunity never came up until the Berks Jazz Fest. It was a good fit.” Thatcher led a band performing Carlton’s music at the Berks festival in August 2021.

Thatcher has an advantage in emulating Carlton’s sound because his main guitar is the same model Carlton uses, a Gibson ES-335. One of Carlton’s best-known original songs is “Room 335,” named after his recording studio. Gibson has released a Larry Carlton Signature edition ES-335.

For Thatcher, learning some of the songs was more difficult, however. “The guitar solo on ‘Kid Charlemagne’ is one of the best-known guitar solos of all time. It’s a difficult solo to do. It’s amazing that he first played it straight through without any rehearsal,” says Thatcher.

“He did every chord change perfectly. You have to do that one note for note. Even Larry does that when he plays it now. It took me a long time to learn it, and I even had to practice it for three months after learning it.”

Thatcher is a familiar music figure in the Lehigh Valley. He has played at Musikfest for 32 consecutive years.

Thatcher has presented tribute concerts for the music of Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, the Allman Brothers and Tom Petty.

Thatcher has opened for or worked with Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Robin Trower, Savoy Brown, Roseanne Cash, Roger McGuinn, Herman’s Hermits, John Mayer and David Bromberg.

Thatcher expects to perform a few songs on acoustic guitar in the Miller Symphony Hall concert. For years, before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown, Thatcher was an International Clinician-Ambassador for Martin Guitar, traveling to 40 different countries for Martin Experience presentations with company sales representatives.

“We would demonstrate new and existing Martin models, giving mini-concerts and demonstrating the technical aspects of the guitars at places like performing arts centers and music stores. I got to meet some wonderful people,” Thatcher says.

Thatcher lives in Coopersburg with his wife Christine. He has resumed concerts post-COVID to “where I am as busy as I want to be. I’m not interested in playing five or six nights a week anymore.”

Thatcher performs many of his area concerts as a duo with Cliff Starkey, keyboards, or Billy Wear, drums. Each will accompany Thatcher in the Miller Symphony Hall concert, along with Chico Huff, bass, and Nelson Hill, saxophone.

Tickets: Miller Symphony Hall box office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; www.millersymphonyhall.org; 610-432-6715