Speaker: Simon Jones I Entertainer: The Sutton Place Trio

SPEAKER: SIMON JONES 

Actor Simon Jones will share inside tales of the highly anticipated HBO series, “The Gilded Age”. Written and created by Julian Fellowes  (Downton Abbey), this drama of New York Old Money, New Money and those that served them premiers on January 24. Simon Jones' long career includes appearing in the film, "Downton Abbey"  as King George V, as Bridey in Brideshead Revisited, and in the film  "Miracle on 34th Street".

ENTERTAINER: THE SUTTON PLACE TRIO

The Sutton Place Trio has a New York sensibility reminiscent of the combos that filled the nightlife, clubs and hotels of the Manhattan skyline. Pianist/vocalist Alex Leonard has appeared in venues from Manhattan to Las Vegas, Europe and Japan. All Music Guide writes, "Leonard is an important mainstay of the Big Apple". Bassist Jay Leonhart has  performed and recorded with notables such as Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, Tony  Bennett, Steely Dan and Sting. Jay was named The Most Valuable Bassist  in the recording industry three times by the National Academy of  Recording Arts and Sciences. Guitarist Al Gafa performed  many years with Dizzy Gillespie, Sammy Davis Jr. and Johnny Hartman as  well as being musical director for vocalist Carmen McRae. Al can be  heard on the soundtrack album of the movie "The Bridges of Madison  County".