Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Perform at City Parks Foundation Benefit Honoring Joe Killian and Alex Blavatnik

Four decades ago, Joe Killian launched SummerStage in Central Park with a simple yet ambitious vision: to provide New Yorkers with high-quality, free live entertainment. Despite facing significant logistical challenges during its formative years, the festival has evolved into a cornerstone of New York City culture, drawing roughly 200,000 attendees annually across the five boroughs.

On September 10, the City Parks Foundation will host its 2026 gala and benefit concert, where Killian will be presented with the SummerStage Icon Award. This honor celebrates his tenure as the festival’s founder and executive producer from 1986 to 1993, as well as his ongoing contributions as a board member and the force behind Killian + Company.

The event will also recognize Alex Blavatnik, vice chairman of Access Industries and former Warner Music Group board member. Blavatnik is being honored with the 2026 City Parks Foundation Icon Award in recognition of his philanthropic dedication to the Blavatnik Archive, which serves to preserve critical 20th-century history.

The evening’s entertainment will be headlined by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, with additional special guests to be announced in the coming weeks. The festivities are set to take place at Rumsey Playfield, the primary venue for SummerStage.

“As we mark the 40th anniversary of SummerStage, we are thrilled to honor our visionary founder, Joe Killian,” stated Heather Lubov, executive director of the City Parks Foundation. “Joe’s commitment to bringing world-class performances to the public remains the heartbeat of our mission. We are equally honored to recognize Alex Blavatnik, whose support for cultural preservation aligns perfectly with our belief in making the arts accessible to all.”

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