MARTELL FOUNDATION GALA: FABULOUSNESS AND FUNDRAISING

(l-r) Josh Groban, Tom Corson, John Esposito

Luxe restaurants full of bespoke suits, cocktail dresses, champagne flutes and heavy-pass hors d’oeuvres always signal gala season in Gotham. Last week’s T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Gala (held at Cipriani 42nd Street) was overflowing with biz fabulousness. Honoring Warner co-Chairman and COO Tom Corson, Def Jam COO/EVP Archie Davis and award-magnet songwriter-producer and Monument co-head Shane McAnally, the 45th annual gala drew 600+ attendees to celebrate their achievements and raise funds for research to fight cancer.

Performances by Omar Apollo, Brandy Clark and Coco Jones peppered an evening equally star-studded, with presenters like Josh Groban (of Broadway’s Sweeney Todd), Tony-winning actress-singer Kristin Chenoweth and Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler. A comical compilation video featuring NLE Choppa, Dave Grohl, Rod Stewart, Clive Davis and others preceded the presentation of Corson’s lifetime music industry award early in the program.

Hosted by board chairman John Esposito and various gala chairs (including Aaron Bay-Schuck, Robert Carlton, Steve Gawley, Tunji Balogun, Julie Swidler and Laura Swanson), the event raised north of $1.3m.

(l-r) Tunji Balogun, Coco Jones and Archie Davis

“Tom Corson is an amazing and beloved music executive who has been an ardent supporter of the foundation for a long time,” said Esposito after the gala. “Archie Davis has a heart of gold and has been a staunch supporter of the foundation as well. His announcement about getting [Universal Music Group] to lower the age for their health insurance to cover colonoscopies shows he’s an important new voice in our fight for a cure. And Shane McAnally is not only one of the most incredibly talented and respected creators working in music today, he's a wonderfully philanthropic soul."

“We were so proud to cast a spotlight on this year’s esteemed honorees. All three have made their own incredible marks on the music industry and have been steadfastly supportive of the T.J. Martell Foundation," Espo added, noting, "Hold up—this isn't for HITS, is it?”

Shane McAnally was presented with the Spirit of Music Award, while Davis received the Rising Music Superstar Award. Appearing at the shindig days after the 76th annual Tony Awards, McAnally was fresh off a win for the musical Shucked, co-written with Brandy Clark. (Shucked lead Alex Newell won Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical.)

“Tonight has been a truly memorable night for all of us at the T.J. Martell Foundation,” Espo proclaimed at night’s end. “It was a thrill to bring together such an incredible room to celebrate tonight’s three honorees and to be in the presence of such wonderful talent, from the presenters to the artists who performed—all in the name of continuing our mission to further the critically important work the foundation does in support of cancer research.”

Later, everyone went home and enjoyed changing back into their sweats.

(l-r) Corson, Shane McAnally, Kristin Chenoweth and Esposito