Renaming of Kennedy Center to Trump-Kennedy Center Sparks Band Cancellations and Controversy
The Cookers, a Grammy-nominated post-bop jazz septet, withdrew from a New Year's Eve concert at the renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, just two days before their scheduled performance. This cancellation was among several following the Kennedy Center board's decision to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Center, which included updating exterior signage to feature the Trump name.
Other artists, including drummer Chuck Redd, folk singer Kristy Lee, and Doug Varone and Dancers, also canceled performances ranging from Christmas Eve to the following April. In response, the Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell threatened to sue Redd for $1 million, alleging the withdrawal was a political stunt tied to opposition against the renaming.
Grenell described the cancellations as actions connected to the previous leadership and emphasized that the arts should remain open to everyone, expressing criticism of boycotts against arts institutions. Meanwhile, The Cookers issued an apology and reaffirmed their commitment to music that transcends divisions, though one band member voiced concerns about performing in a venue controlled by a board he called racist.
The renaming prompted widespread outcry and legal challenges, sparking ongoing debate about the center's leadership and branding. This controversy is further framed by Washington, DC's history as a center for Black arts and the jazz community's longstanding activist traditions.
