Overview
- Jazz supergroup The Cookers dropped two “A Jazz New Year’s Eve” sets, with drummer Billy Hart saying the name change “evidently” factored into the decision.
- Doug Varone and Dancers canceled April performances, stating they will not perform at a venue renamed “after himself” by President Trump.
- Earlier, longtime holiday host Chuck Redd called off his Christmas Eve Jazz Jam and was threatened with a $1 million damages claim by Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell.
- Grenell defended the rebrand and criticized the withdrawals as political, noting the acts were booked by prior leadership and saying the arts center is hearing from artists willing to play.
- The Trump-aligned board voted Dec. 18 to add his name, signage went up Dec. 19, and Rep. Joyce Beatty’s suit argues the 1964 statute requires congressional approval for any renaming.