More musicians have decided to cancel their upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center after the addition of U.S. President Donald Trump’s name to the venue. The latest group to withdraw is the jazz supergroup known as the Cookers, who were set to perform on New Year’s Eve.
This wave of cancellations follows a previous backlash from artists when Trump took control of the institution earlier in the year. Notable figures like Issa Rae, producers of “Hamilton,” Ben Folds, and Renee Fleming had all either canceled engagements or stepped down from advisory roles.
The decision to include Trump’s name on the building, now called the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, was made by the new board in a recent vote. The Cookers, with nearly two decades of performing experience, expressed their abrupt decision to withdraw from the upcoming event on their website, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive space for music lovers.
While the jazz group did not directly mention the renaming or the current administration, saxophonist Billy Harper openly criticized the move, stating his refusal to perform in a venue associated with what he perceives as racist practices undermining African American music and culture.
Other artists, including folk singer Kristy Lee and the dance company Doug Varone and Dancers, have also backed out of scheduled performances due to the name change. In response to the growing number of cancellations, Richard Grenell, appointed by Trump to lead the Kennedy Center, defended the decision, claiming that the artists who canceled shows were previously booked by the center’s former leadership.
Grenell further mentioned that the Kennedy Center has received interest from artists willing to perform without making political statements through their artistry. The situation escalated when musician Chuck Redd canceled a performance on Christmas Eve, prompting Grenell to consider legal action seeking damages.
The controversy surrounding the renaming has raised questions about potential legal implications, as scholars note that any alteration to the building’s name would require congressional approval, as stipulated by the law designating the center as a memorial to President Kennedy.
