Music industry senior executive founder, T.J. Martell Foundation
Years active
1960s–2016
Spouse
Vicky Martell
Children
T.J., Debbie
Tony Martell (June 23, 1926 – November 27, 2016), also known as T.J. Martell, was an American music industry executive and philanthropist. He was the founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, the music industry's largest foundation for leukemia, cancer, and AIDS research.[1]
In 1973, Martell's teenage son T.J. Martell was diagnosed with leukemia, and died in 1975 at the age of 21.[6] Tony Martell began fundraising efforts for cancer research with a dinner in New York City featuring the music of friends Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald and soon established the T.J. Martell Foundation in memory of his son.[6]
For over forty-three years, the foundation has been one of the primary charitable organizations associated with the music industry and a leader in funding for innovative leukemia, cancer, and AIDS research (having raised over $285 million). The T.J. Martell Foundation maintains offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, and sponsors events nationally and internationally.
Martell retired from the music industry and was involved in the work of the foundation until his death. His status and long-standing relationships with artists and executives within the music community are still invaluable assets to the foundation's work.[7][8][9]
Martell was married to Vicky Martell, who died on February 21, 2016.[11] They had a daughter, Debbie Martell, and they resided in Madison, New Jersey, where he died on November 27, 2016, at the age of 90.[12][13]
