Jazz Legend Wynton Marsalis Earns 2015 Marian Anderson Award Misty Copeland, Kim Burrell, Lalah Hathaway, and more celebrate the great

The man, the musician, the magically talented Wynton Marsalis was celebrated by many at this year’s Marian Anderson Award gala ceremony on Tuesday night, November 10, in Philadelphia.

Emmy winning journalist Soledad O’Brien served as host for the evening honoring the jazz legend as the 2015 recipient of the famed Marian Anderson Award. Marsalis may have been the man of the hour, but three amazingly talented women: Misty Copeland, the first African-American Female Principal Dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, Kim Burrell, the three-time Stellar Award winning Gospel phenom, and Lalah Hathaway, the Grammy winning vocal instrument, all graced the stage with their breathtaking talent to show their appreciation to Marsalis and his contribution to music.

Not only did Wynton Marsalis give a thought-provoking and inspiring speech, [READ HERE], but he brought the house down when he took the stage with his “brothers,” the 7 also known as the Septet. The mind-blowing performance was extra special since the men haven’t performed together in over 20 years, but they instantly brought the audience to New Orleans as the luminous music filled the Kimmel Center. CONGRATS Mr. Marsalis on this honor.

Last’s year recipient Jon Bon Jovi joins the ranks of Mia Farrow, Elizabeth Taylor, Oprah Winfrey,Quincy Jones, Maya Angelou, Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, who all were honored with the Marian Anderson Award.

The Marion Anderson Award ceremony is an iconic Philadelphia tradition that dates back to 1990 and first established in 1943 when singer Marian Anderson herself earned the $10,000 Bok Prize in Philly. After losing funding, the awards were later rebooted and has now turned into a major event in the city of Brotherly love honoring some great talent.

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Photo: Twitter

The Septet playing the New Orleans Function at @KimmelCenter for @AndersonAward pic.twitter.com/rspjjOkizG

— Wynton Marsalis (@wyntonmarsalis) November 11, 2015