“I had just arrived from Jamaica and I was working in a club in Miami when who should walk in but Frank Sinatra and Jilly Rizzo. They complimented me on my playing. Then, five, maybe six months later, I’m playing in the lounge at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas. That place attracted a very ‘colorful’ crowd. So who walks in – you guessed it. Frank insists I settle down in one place. Two days later, there’s an airline ticket to Manhattan and I’m playing at the most famous night club in New York, Jilly’s Saloon, accompanying Mr. Sinatra.”

At that first chance meeting with Frank Sinatra in Miami, Monty Alexander was 18 years old.

Mr. Alexander went on to be the house pianist at Jilly’s for three years, and the list of special guest performers is astounding, from Count Basie to Judy Garland.

The Ellen is proud to present this jazz legend for a night of great music, stories and anecdotes from his incredible career, along with questions from you, the audience. If you are at all a fan of the swingin’ years, you will not want to miss...