With generous hearts supporting the T.J. Martell Foundation, the national non-profit charity that provides funds for innovative cancer research, plans for the October 15th 43rd Annual “New York Honors Gala” has been announced by Co-chairs Jay Brown of Roc Nation, Steve Gawley of Universal Music Group, Jody Gerson of Universal Music Publishing Group, and Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s National Board of Trustees Joel Katz of Greenberg Traurig. New York’s prominent community and business leaders will join entertainment and philanthropic stars to honor Jeffrey Harleston, Universal Music Group’s General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, and Drew Nieporent, Founder of Myriad Restaurant Group.
To be held at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York, the elegant evening will open with a reception and tempting auction items ranging from music memorabilia, collectible wines, luxury dining and travel experiences. The Honors Gala is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser of the year, supporting its mission of funding innovative medical research and treatments focused on finding a cure for cancer.
The evening includes surprise guests invited by the honorees to perform and present awards. Past hosts, presenters, performers, and notable guests have included Bryan Adams, Indie Arie, Garth Brooks, former President William J. Clinton, former President George H. W. Bush, Clive Davis, Foreigner, Joe Jonas, DJ Khaled, Doug Morris, Bill Murray, REO Speedwagon, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Yoko Ono and many other luminaries. Past Honors Gala honorees have included John Amato, Irving Azoff, Steve Boom, Scott Borchetta, Jennifer Breithaupt, Drew Carey, Charlie Daniels, Clive Davis, John Esposito, Berry Gordy, Randy Jackson, Quincy Jones, Joel Katz, Monte and Avery Lipman, Kenny Loggins, Arnold Palmer, Bea Perez, the late Frances Williams Preston, Sarah Stennett, Julie Swidler, Carrie Underwood, Afo Verde, Russell Wallach, Brett Yormark, among many others.
Drew Nieporent, one of America’s most respected restaurateurs, is the founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates Tribeca Grill, Nobu Fifty Seven, Nobu Downtown, Nobu London, Bâtard, the Porsche Grille at Citi Field (home of the NY Mets), Daily Burger at Madison Square Garden, and Crush Wine & Spirits. Over the last 32 years, Myriad has opened and operated over 40 restaurants around the world including San Francisco, Seattle, Louisville, Martha’s Vineyard, Boca Raton, London, and Moscow. His restaurants have received countless accolades.
Tribeca Grill (1990), with partner Robert De Niro, opened to national acclaim and continues to be a New York landmark, with a wine list that has received Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 2002. In 1994, Nieporent launched Nobu in New York. Nobu New York, Next Door Nobu, now Nobu Downtown (2017), and Nobu Fifty-Seven (2005) have all earned three-star ratings from The New York Times. Montrachet (1985) received three stars from The New York Times and kept that rating for 21 years. In 2008, the original Montrachet space became Corton, maintaining its three New York Times stars and receiving two Michelin stars. Nieporent reopened the space as Bâtard (2014) with chef-partner Markus Glocker and John Winterman, again earning three stars from The New York Times, New York Magazine, and a coveted Michelin star. Bâtard won Best New Restaurant in America at the 2015 James Beard awards.
Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Joel Katz explained that “the music industry’s long-time support of the T.J. Martell Foundation dates to 1975 when music executive Tony Martell established the organization in memory of his son, T.J., who was lost to leukemia at the age of 19. Since then, more than $280 million has been raised for ground-breaking treatment and support of cancer-related illnesses.”
For Honors Gala tickets, sponsorship or more information, please visit their website.
ABOUT THE T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION: The T.J. Martell Foundation is the music industry’s leading foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding treatments and cures for cancer. The Foundation was founded in 1975 by music industry executive Tony Martell and his colleagues in loving memory of his son T.J., who died of leukemia. The Foundation has provided more than $280 million for research at eight flagship hospitals in the United States. For more information on the T.J. Martell Foundation visit www.tjmartell.org.
