Jazz Artist Chuck Redd Cancels Christmas Eve Concert Over Kennedy Center Rebrand

Chuck Redd, a jazz musician known for his annual Christmas Eve performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, canceled the show in protest of the venue’s recent rebranding.

The center, which has long been referred to as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and receives federal funding through Congress, approved a name change that included the addition of President Donald Trump’s name on December 18.

Redd stated he canceled the concert after seeing the name change on the center’s website and later on the building itself. “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said in a statement.

The decision drew criticism from some supporters of President Donald Trump, who criticized Redd for politicizing a holiday tradition. One social media user described the move as “canceling yourself” while another urged a boycott of Redd’s future performances, claiming his cancellation deprived families of a holiday celebration.

A self-described military veteran also shared that he served under six presidents and argued that personal political views should not interfere with professional responsibilities.

Redd received support from some users on social media, with one thanking him for “acting on principle.”

The Kennedy Center board, chaired by the center’s president, said the vote to rebrand was unanimous. However, Democrat members disputed that characterization.

Congress approved $250 million this year for renovations at the Washington complex at Trump’s urging, and the president has taken an active role in shaping its direction.