A Christmas Eve jazz concert scheduled at the Kennedy Center in Washington was cancelled after a controversial decision to rename the venue sparked public backlash.
The concert’s host, veteran jazz musician Chuck Redd, said he withdrew from the event in protest after discovering that the iconic arts centre had been renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Redd explained that he made the decision shortly after seeing the updated name displayed on the Kennedy Center’s official website and later on the building itself. According to him, the change crossed a personal and professional line.
Speaking on the issue, Redd expressed disappointment, noting that the Kennedy Center has played a major role in his musical journey. He said the decision was particularly painful given his long-standing relationship with the venue.
The jazz musician has hosted annual holiday-season “Jazz Jams” at the centre since 2006. Over the years, he has built a respected career as a drummer and vibraphonist, performing alongside legendary figures such as Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown.
The Kennedy Center was originally named in honour of former US President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963, after Congress passed legislation to preserve his legacy through the national arts institution.
Reacting to the development, President Donald Trump told reporters last week that he was surprised by the decision and described the move as an honour, stating that the centre’s board chose to include his name.
The cancellation has since drawn attention to the broader debate over politics, legacy, and the independence of cultural institutions in the United States.
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