2014 Marian Anderson Awards Gala Honoring Jon Bon Jovi

Nina Tinari, board chair of the Marian Anderson Award, and Michael Schulson.

Paul Anka congratulates Jon Bon Jovi as Caroline and Sidney Kimmel look on.

From left: Craig Spencer, Dorothea Bon Jovi and BJ Spencer.

From left: Sister Mary Scullion, Harold Honickman, Camden Mayor Dana Redd, and City Council President Darrell Clarke.

Rhonda R. Cohen (recently honored to receive the 2014 Vision for Philadelphia Award) and David L. Cohen, chair of the 2014 Marian Anderson Award Dinner.

Anne Ewers, president and CEO of the Kimmel Center, and her husband, Fred Hagen.

Lots of rock & roll in the house Tuesday night with David Uosikkinen (Hooters) and Dallyn Pavey at the VIP cocktail party.

From left: Mary Toto, Mike Konopka, Maria Papadakis and Chris Konopka.

Evantine Design did another great job this year, creating a unique dining experience at the gala dinner held in the lobby of the Kimmel Center.

Violinist Sean Bennett, 18, performed at the gala. He has benefitted from the funds raised through the Marian Anderson Foundation with the Young Artist Study Grant Program, which helps high school artists and musicians in financial need.

Jon Batiste and Stay Human got the crowd on their feet and singing during their performance.

A group I love, The All American Rejects, with Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter, performed a few of their biggest hits at the 2014 Marian Anderson Awards Gala. They told a story of how they met Jon Bon Jovi, after he caught their show at the Troubadour a few years back, and how honored they were that he asked them to perform at the gala. Going forward they will always dedicate "Move Along" to him whereever they play.

Wanda Sykes was the master of ceremonies for the evening. She was her usual witty self. Favorite quips included her comments on turning down the smoke machine because no one could see the sign language interpreter — and who knows what she was really saying, then added her own special interpretation.

Bringing down the house was Estelle, who opened with her biggest song "American Boy," then did a cover of "Gypsy Woman" by Crystal Waters. Then she led all the entertainment and choir on hand in a great rendition of "Living on a Prayer" that got the entire house on their feet, dancing and singing.

Earlier in the evening Wanda Sykes joked that Sen Cory Booker couldn't make it to the event as he was held up in D.C., but had he been mayor he'd have been there. Lo and behold, he made it just in time to give a rousing tribute to Jon Bon Jovi, who he said never looked down on anyone, unless it was to give them a hand up to better their lives.

Sen. Cory Booker told the guests how Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Foundation helped revitalize Newark, New Jersey, during the time Booker was mayor, and how JBJ still works on ways to improve the city and people's lives. JBJ went on to build the first HIV/AIDS housing in Newark: the Newark Genesis Jon Bon Jovi Soul Apartments.

From left: Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Jon Bon Jovi and Nina Tinari, board chair of the Marian Anderson Award, as JBJ is presented the Marian Anderson Award.

Jon Bon Jovi gave a powerful speech about his passion for the work that he does. He thanked the Marian Anderson Award organization, Nina Tinari, the people who inspire him including Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson of Project Home. He said he saw a need to make people's lives easier, to care for the homeless, and it didn't require a scientist to solve the problem. It just needed someone to care, and create solutions to meet the needs of people in distress.