For more than 20 years, live jazz on Christmas Eve was a beloved tradition at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, offering audiences a warm and soulful way to mark the holiday season. This year, however, that tradition has come to an abrupt halt. The annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam has been officially canceled, surprising longtime attendees and leaving a noticeable gap in the center’s holiday calendar. The cancellation followed the decision of the concert’s longtime host, jazz drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, to step away.
Redd had led the event since 2006, taking over after the death of renowned bassist William Keter Betts, and became a defining presence of the performance. In a statement to the Associated Press, Redd said his decision was driven by personal concerns tied to recent changes at the Kennedy Center. Specifically, Redd cited a rebranding effort that added former President Donald Trump’s name alongside the center’s original dedication to President John F. Kennedy. He said he no longer felt comfortable continuing in his role under those circumstances.
The rebranding has sparked broader controversy. Established by Congress in the 1960s as a living memorial to JFK, the center’s name carries legal and symbolic weight. Legal experts and former officials argue that federal law limits the board’s authority to alter the memorial’s name without congressional approval. Members of the Kennedy family have publicly objected, while Trump described the move as an honor.
The canceled concert is not an isolated case. Other artists, including Issa Rae and Peter Wolf, have recently withdrawn from events amid leadership changes and ongoing legal challenges. The absence of this year’s holiday jazz performance highlights how institutional decisions can ripple outward, pausing traditions once thought timeless.
