The 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors which was hosted by President Barack Obama on Sunday at the East Room of White House, December 4th, celebrated with nation's top award actress Meryl Streep and singer Neil Diamond, as well as singer Barbara Cook, jazz great saxophonist Sonny Rollins, and famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Caroline Kennedy, who co-hosts the show as part of a living memorial to her father, John F. Kennedy, acknowledged her personal connection to one honoree.

Writer Nora Ephron said Streep's talent, versatility and resemblance to Clinton made it "inevitable" that she would one day play the secretary of state and former first lady.

In a nod to Diamond, she said he was "a Brooklyn lad with a gift of melody who grew into a solitary man, 'reaching out, touching me.'" That was enough to draw big laughs as the crowd of celebrities and politicians recalled that Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" was named for her. Of Diamond, Obama said his songs could be heard everywhere from baseball games to children's movies.

Comedian and puppet Elmo from TV's Sesame Street, Stephen Colbert gave a humorous introduction to the classic music of Ma, 56 who first played for a U.S. president at the age of 7. He has played cello since he was 4.

"Yo-Yo doesn't just play the cello. He rocks it. He shreds it. He cranks it up and he rips off the knob - metaphorically, of course, because the knobs on a Stradivarius are like a half a million dollars a piece," he said.

Obama said he could learn a thing or two from the cellist.

"Maybe the most amazing thing about Yo-Yo Ma is that everybody likes him" "You've got to give me some tips."

Actor Bill Cosby introduced the portion of the show dedicated to Rollins, saying the musician's tenor sax became a legend. Sonny Rollins, 81, told reporters his award celebrated a uniquely American form of music - jazz. Actresses Glenn Close and Patti LuPone joined a lineup of top stage stars that sang a series of songs honouring Barbara Cook.

CBS will broadcast the 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors show on Dec. 27.