More musicians are backing out of performances at the Kennedy Center following the recent inclusion of President Donald Trump’s name on the venue. The Cookers, a renowned jazz supergroup, have withdrawn from a planned New Year’s Eve show in response to the building’s renaming.
This latest wave of cancellations comes after earlier backlash from artists when Trump took over the institution earlier this year. Notable figures like Issa Rae, the producers of Hamilton, Ben Folds, and Renee Fleming had all distanced themselves from the Kennedy Center following Trump’s involvement.
The decision to add Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was made by the new board and has stirred controversy in the arts community. The Cookers, in a statement on their website, explained their abrupt withdrawal from the upcoming event, emphasizing their commitment to promoting unity through music.
While the group did not directly mention the renaming or the Trump administration, saxophone player Billy Harper publicly criticized the decision, stating his refusal to perform in a venue associated with what he perceives as racist ideologies and cultural degradation.
The Cookers’ announcement adds to a string of cancellations by other artists, such as folk singer Kristy Lee and Doug Varone and Dancers, who have voiced their objections to the building’s renaming. Richard Grenell, appointed by Trump to lead the Kennedy Center, has defended the changes, claiming that artists who are canceling shows were initially booked by the previous leadership.
Grenell also mentioned the influx of inquiries from artists willing to perform at the Kennedy Center despite the political controversies surrounding it. The situation has escalated to potential legal action, with Grenell indicating the possibility of seeking damages from musicians who have pulled out of scheduled performances.
The Kennedy Center’s history as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy has sparked debates over the legality of renaming the building without congressional approval. Scholars argue that any alterations to the center’s name require legislative consent, as mandated by the law passed in the aftermath of Kennedy’s assassination.