The Eric Mintel Quartet brings its unique style of jazz to Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, 7:30 p.m. March 16, as part of the “Jazz Upstairs” series in the Rodale Community Room.

Audience members can expect to hear “originals and a lot of Dave Brubeck’s music ... ‘Take Five,’ ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk,’ some television themes like ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Mannix,’ plus a standard or two,” says Mintel in a phone interview.

Mintel’s jazz roots go way back.

“I’ve always played piano. We had a piano and I had a great fascination with it. I was an only-child and I entertained myself with it. I created my own melodies. I was probably three- or four-years-old when I started.

“By about 14, I was playing piano and listening to a lot of music. My parents had a great vinyl record collection: Ray Charles, Elvis. And we always had classical music and jazz. I came across a 45 [rpm record] with ‘Take 5’ and ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk.’ The light bulb went off. I knew then that’s what I wanted to do with my life.”

Mintel took a year of piano lessons. But he was coming to these beginner lesson already playing “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo” by ear. He honed his jazz chops by listening and playing.

He cites “all the great piano players: Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea” as influences on his music, “also Bach, Beethoven, Mozart. Jazz always takes bits and pieces from classical music.”

Mintel has been a featured guest on “Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz” on NPR, and his quartet opened for Dave Brubeck at the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, and appeared on the QVC television network, performed twice at the White House for Presidents Bill Clinton (1998) and Barack Obama (2011), played in several concerts at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., performed at the United Nations, New York City, and at numerous concerts throughout the United States.

The Eric Mintel Quartet features Nelson Hill, sax and flute; Jack Hegyi, bass, and Dave Mohn, drums. Mintel has led a quartet for some 25 years. “I had a lot of great players. Nelson and I are celebrating 15 years.

Hill was lead alto with Maynard Ferguson and played with Buddy Rich and Phil Woods. Heygi has backed Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. Mohn has played with Johnny’s Dance Band and the Sky Dog Band.

“The guys being together for so long, you almost read each other’s minds. Each of the guys adds their own individual style into my music. We’re always doing something different. It’s all spontaneous.”

The group has two CDs available: “The Eric Mintel Quartet Live” and “The Just Around The Corner.” The live CD was recorded at Delaware Water Gap’s Celebration Of The Arts festival.

“I want to help make jazz more a popular music. Today, there are a lot more high school jazz musicians. People are starting to take more notice to the music.”

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