T.J. Martell Foundation Hosts Annual New York Honors Gala

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Jelly Roll. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

The T.J. Martell Foundation hosted its annual New York Honors Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. The memorable evening marked the Foundation’s milestone 50th anniversary, raising more than $2.2 million.

The evening debuted the inaugural Circle of Legends award, a new honor recognizing the leaders who have championed the Foundation’s mission. The 2025 Circle of Legends honorees included (some posthumously):  Michele Anthony, Clarence Avant (deceased), Irving Azoff, Lenny Beer, Mitchell Benson, Steve Boom, Scott Borchetta, Will Botwin, Jim Caparro, Gary Casson, Warren Christensen, Tom Corson, Shanti Das, Archie Davis, Clive Davis, Seth England, Rakiyah Marshall England, John Esposito, Charlie Feldman, Jason Flom, Tom Freston, Joe Galante, Daniel Glass, David Glew, David Glinert (deceased), Floyd Glinert (deceased), Charles Goldstuck, Berry Gordy, Jeff Harleston, Clint Higham, Dr. James Holland (deceased), Jimmy Jam, Joel A. Katz (deceased) Michael Kushner, Dennis Lavinthal, Aaron W. Levy, Terry Lewis, Avery Lipman, Monte Lipman, Carianne Marshall, Tony Martell (deceased), Harvey Mason Jr., Judy McGrath, Tommy Mottola, Mike O’Neill, Dino Paredes, Bea Perez, Michael J. Pollack, Frances W. Preston (deceased), Diarmuid Quinn, Michael Reinert, Marc Reiter, Scott Rodger, Paul B. Shore (deceased), Julie Swidler, John Sykes, Afo Verde, Marsha Vlasic, Ron Wilcox and Chaka Zulu.

“The Circle of Legends celebrates the visionaries whose leadership built this Foundation and carried it forward,” said Steve Gawley, T.J. Martell Foundation Board Chairman and EVP, Republic Collective. “Their dedication has created a legacy of progress — uniting our industry and inspiring hope for generations to come.”

The event was hosted by Gawley , in collaboration with the Foundation’s Executive Committee. Gawley spoke proudly of his work this past year as the Chairman of the Foundation, highlighting its 50th anniversary and critical mission ahead, and how the music industry leaders coming together can help change the world not just with their music but with science, as private funding for cancer research has never been more important.

“For 50 years, the music industry’s generosity has fueled lifesaving cancer research,” said Lynn-Anne Huck, CEO of the T.J. Martell Foundation. “Honoring our Circle of Legends reminds us that together, we can turn music’s promise into tomorrow’s cures.”

SONY Music Entertainment’s Executive VP of Business Affairs/general Counsel Julie Swidler, 2024 New York Honors Lifetime Music industry Award recipient and Big Loud Partner/CEO Seth England, President of Frontline Recordings for BMG Americas, Jon Loba and Disturbing the Peace Record’s Chaka Zulu also gave remarks.

To end the night, Rising British artist Sekou took the stage, followed by Jelly Roll.

“I was thinking, I’m more nervous than normal. And I was like, well, I know why. I’m in New York City. I’m at the T.J. Martell gala,” Jelly Roll shared from stage. “It’s a big deal. 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, but was when I performed very recently at the Vatican for the Pope. And the first time, and this is a comparison only y’all will get. 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.”

Julie Swidler. Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Pictured (L-R): Jason Flom, Michael Kushner, Daniel Glass, Julie Swidler, Jeffrey Harleston, Michele Anthony, Chaka Zulu, Tom Corson, Michael L. Reinert, Charles Goldstuck, Rakiyah Marshall England, Carianne Marshall, Ron Wilcox, Will Botwin, Mitchell Benson, Mike O’Neill, Avery Lipman, Marc Reiter, Seth England and Monte Lipman . Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation)

Jessie Jo Dillon and Lynn Anne Huck. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Seth England and Clive Davis. Photo: Larry Busacca for T.J. Martell Foundation

Scott Borchetta and Clive Davis. Photo: Larry Busacca for T.J. Martell Foundation

Pictured (L-R): Lynn Anne Huck, Jelly Roll and Steve Gawley. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Lauryn Sink
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