The Kennedy Center's New Year's Eve concert has been canceled following the withdrawal of jazz supergroup the Cookers, amid a broader protest against the venue's rebranding linked to President Donald Trump.
According to Mediaite, the Cookers announced on Monday that they had canceled their two sold-out performances, joining a growing boycott that includes musicians, dancers, and theater producers. This movement gained momentum after the Kennedy Center board, chaired by President Trump, decided to rename the institution as "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
The decision, made earlier this month, has faced swift opposition from Democratic leaders and members of the Kennedy family.
President Trump's name was officially added to the building's exterior on December 19. The Cookers, in a statement on their website, refrained from directly mentioning Trump or the venue but emphasized jazz's political heritage, stating: "Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice." They further expressed understanding for those disappointed by their decision, affirming their commitment to music that bridges divides rather than exacerbating them.
Saxophonist Billy Harper, a member of the Cookers, was more forthright in his criticism. In a Facebook interview, he declared, "I would never even consider performing in a venue bearing a name (and being controlled by the kind of board) that represents overt racism and deliberate destruction of African-American music and culture."
This backlash has elicited a strong response from Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell, a Trump appointee, who dismissed the boycotts as politically driven. On X, he remarked, "The arts are for everyone and the left is mad about it," and later added, "Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome."
The New Year's Eve cancellations are part of a series of high-profile withdrawals. Jazz musician Chuck Redd recently canceled his annual Christmas Eve concert, and folk singer Kristy Lee called off a mid-January performance. Since President Trump's return to office and the subsequent reshaping of the Kennedy Center board, other planned events, including a concert by Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Rhiannon Giddens and a show by comedian Issa Rae, have also been canceled.
This situation raises questions about the intersection of politics and the arts, as well as the role of cultural institutions in reflecting diverse perspectives. The ongoing controversy highlights the tension between artistic freedom and political influence, as artists and audiences navigate the implications of the Kennedy Center's rebranding. As the debate continues, the future of performances at this iconic venue remains uncertain, with the potential for further cancellations and protests.
Login