Event Calendar
Rob Stoneback & StoneDixie
Friday, March 21, 2025, 7:30 pm
Rob Stoneback and the Stonedixies bring us the joyful music of Dixieland. Rob got his master’s degree in Louisiana which was the start of his love affair with this New Orleans style jazz. He went on to become known for big band swing. This performance takes him back to Dixie.
StoneDixie consists of members of the Rob Stoneback Big Band who also love to play that joyful Dixieland music. One of the reasons Rob chose to go to LSU was because it was only 80 miles from New Orleans. In the two years he was down South, Rob sat in with several Dixieland bands in the French Quarter and had a blast. The love affair goes on.
The players are:
Rob Stoneback—Trombone and Vocals
Three months after returning from LSU with his Master’s degree, Rob found himself touring the eastern half of the United States with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. After returning home to the Lehigh Valley, Rob played in a number of area groups, but decided to start his own big band, the Rob Stoneback Big Band, which endures to this day, 45 years old.
Dale Orris—Trumpet
Dale graduated from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania and shortly began touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. After a few years with the Miller band, he joined the Buddy Rich Big Band for two years. He is one of the most talented and versatile trumpeters you will find. Just ask him. Dale lives in Winfield, PA.
Neil Wetzel—Clarinet, Soprano Sax, and Tenor Sax
Dr. Neil Wetzel heads the Music Department at Moravian University in Bethlehem. Neil got his B.A. in music from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, during which time he played alto sax in The Rob Stoneback Big Band. Neil also obtained a Master’s degree and a Doctoral degree in Music Education from Columbia University in New York. He truly is a masterful musician.
George Grund—Piano
George is one of the busiest pianists in the region and deservedly so. He has been a member of Rob’s big band and Rob’s many smaller groups ever since the early ‘90s. A graduate of West Chester University and a veteran of the US Army band in Germany, George is a great talent in music.
Paul Rostock—Bass
Paul lives in Stroudsburg, PA. His musical journey has taken him on tour with Maynard Ferguson, 30 years as Frank Sinatra Jr.’s bassist, and several dates with Frank, Sr. as well. He has performed with so many jazz heavyweights that I will only mention a few: Phil Woods, Urbie Green, Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine… When you have the best….
Pat Marcinko—Drums
Pat comes from the Scranton area and has been a top drummer in the far North for decades. Pat is extremely versatile, from playing in wedding bands to kicking a big band performing Buddy Rich charts. He makes those sticks dance!
