T.J. Martell Foundation NY Honors Gala Closes With Rousing Jelly Roll Set & $2.2 Million Raised for Cancer Research
Some of the most powerful people in the music business gathered Tuesday evening (Sept. 16) for the T.J. Martell Foundation’s annual New York Honors Gala, which featured heartfelt speeches, performances from Jelly Roll and Sekou, and of course, a lot of fundraising for cancer research.
Taking the stage at Cipriani 42nd Street just a few days after he performed in Vatican City — where he also met Pope Leo XIV — Jelly entertained the crowd of industry leaders, philanthropists and scientists committed to finding a cure for cancer with a passionate set that included his hits “Save Me, “Need a Favor” and “Get By.” At one point, the country star confessed that he was “more nervous than normal,” comparing the show to his recent outing in Rome.
“I was like, ‘Well, I know why. I’m in New York City. I’m at the T.J. Martell gala. It’s a big deal,’” he told the crowd candidly between songs. “It’s like, I’m obviously more nervous than normal. And I was like, let me think about other times I’ve been this nervous to perform. I said, probably the most nervous I’ve ever been — and this is a really unique comparison that only y’all will get — was when I performed very recently at the Vatican for the Pope, and the first time I got invited to do the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party. Clive Davis and the Pope. So quite a parallel that can only happen at an event like this, I reckon.”
Davis was one of several powerful record executives in the audience honored by the organization Wednesday night. With the event marking the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the legendary Arista Records founder and others such as Irving Azoff, Berry Gordy, Monte Lipman, Avery Lipman, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Tommy Mottola and the foundation’s founder, Tony Martell, were recognized for having championed the nonprofit for decades through a “Circle of Legends” award.
“For 50 years, the music industry’s generosity has fueled lifesaving cancer research,” said CEO Lynn-Anne Huck at the event. “Honoring our Circle of Legends reminds us that together, we can turn music’s promise into tomorrow’s cures.”
Elsewhere in the programming, Sekou sang “Love Language” and “Better Man” for the attendees. At the end of the night, guests walked away having raised more than $2.2 million for the foundation’s programs supporting cancer research and treatments.
Though the gala takes place annually, 2025 was the first year the organization celebrated its longtime supporters through the “Circle of Legends” award. By introducing the honor, the T.J. Martell Foundation says it hopes to spotlight “the visionary leaders and devoted champions whose belief in its mission has powered five decades of progress in the fight against cancer.”
“Each name represents a chapter in the Foundation’s story: individuals who took the call, made the ask, funded the research, and inspired others to care as deeply as they do,” a description continues.
Other honorees — some of them recognized posthumously — included Michele Anthony, Clarence Avant, Lenny Beer, Mitchell Benson, Steve Boom, Scott Borchetta, Will Botwin, Jim Caparro, Gary Casson, Warren Christensen, Tom Corson, Shanti Das, Archie Davis, Seth England, Rakiyah Marshall England, John Esposito, Charlie Feldman, Jason Flom, Tom Freston, Joe Galante, Daniel Glass, David Glew, David Glinert, Floyd Glinert, Charles Goldstuck, Jeff Harleston, Clint Higham, Dr. James Holland, Joel A. Katz, Michael Kushner, Dennis Lavinthal, Aaron W. Levy, Carianne Marshall, Harvey Mason Jr., Judy McGrath, Mike O’Neill, Dino Paredes, Bea Perez, Michael J. Pollack, Frances W. Preston, Diarmuid Quinn, Michael Reinert, Marc Reiter, Scott Rodger, Paul B. Shore, Julie Swidler, John Sykes, Afo Verde, Marsha Vlasic, Ron Wilcox and Chaka Zulu.
The T.J. Martell Foundation was formed in 1974 by music executive Tony Martell in honor of his young son, T.J. When T.J. was diagnosed with leukemia, Martell promised to raise $1 million for cancer research — a mission that has since blossomed into more than $280 million raised for medical research grants to leading cancer institutions.
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