Jazz Musician’s Concert Cancellation Sparks Legal Battle with Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center has announced plans for a legal confrontation with jazz musician Chuck Redd after he withdrew from his annual Christmas Eve concert. Redd’s decision came shortly after President Trump’s name was added to the center’s exterior in Washington, D.C., as first reported by the Associated Press.
The Kennedy Center says it is planning legal action after jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled an annual holiday concert. Redd pulled out after President Trump’s name appeared on the building.
/Robert Severi
Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi expressed disappointment in Redd’s decision, labeling it a “disservice to the arts” in an email to NPR. “Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn’t courageous or principled—they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people,” she stated.
Redd, a seasoned performer known for his work on drums and vibraphone, has been a fixture at the center’s Christmas Jazz Jam for many years. Despite attempts to reach him, NPR did not receive a response from Redd regarding his decision.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Redd explained, “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert.”
The Kennedy Center’s President, Richard Grenell, criticized Redd’s move, accusing him of using the cancellation as a political maneuver. Grenell’s letter, shared with NPR, described Redd’s actions as succumbing to “bullying tactics” by political factions.
Grenell also took to X to voice his discontent, stating, “The left is boycotting the Arts because Trump is supporting the Arts. But we will not let them cancel shows without consequences. The Arts are for everyone – and the Left is mad about it.”
Redd is not alone in his decision; several artists have distanced themselves from the Kennedy Center following Trump’s election as chairman of the board. Notable examples include Hamilton, which canceled its 2026 run, and artists like Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens, who opted for alternative venues.
Following the board’s decision, the center’s building now bears the name “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” which has sparked opposition from Democratic lawmakers. Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty has even filed a lawsuit challenging the renaming, arguing it requires congressional approval.
With a career spanning over two decades with The Smithsonian, Redd’s connection to the Kennedy Center is well-documented. However, his recent actions have put him at odds with the center’s current administration. In response to the controversy, Daravi emphasized the center’s commitment to inclusivity and its role as a “true bipartisan institution” that transcends political divisions.
Legal proceedings against Redd are set to commence after the holiday season, as the Kennedy Center seeks to address what it views as a breach of artistic duty.
