Jazz musician Chuck Redd fights lawsuit after canceling concert in political protest. His lawyers argue no signed contract and claim intimidation of artists.
- March 28, 2026
AceShowbiz - Chuck Redd, the jazz drummer and vibraphonist, is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after he canceled a Christmas Eve concert in protest of the venue’s association with then-President Donald Trump.
The motion, submitted to D.C. Superior Court on Friday, argues that the breach of contract claim lacks merit because Chuck Redd never signed the contract provided by the Kennedy Center and was therefore not legally bound to perform. His legal team included the unsigned contract as evidence in their filing.
Lawyers Debra S. Katz and Lisa J. Banks, representing Chuck Redd, contended that the lawsuit is more than a contractual dispute, framing it as an attempt by the Kennedy Center to intimidate artists who dissent publicly. In their statement, they said, "The Kennedy Center filed this lawsuit to send a message to anyone who dares to publicly disagree with the decisions of those in power."
Representatives for the Kennedy Center have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the motion to dismiss.
Chuck Redd has a long history with the Kennedy Center, having led holiday "Jazz Jams" there since 2006 and toured with legendary musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown. His cancellation came shortly after the Kennedy Center’s board, appointed by President Donald Trump, voted to add Trump’s name to the institution, a move that sparked controversy.
Chuck Redd explained his decision in an email to The Associated Press at the time, stating that when he noticed the name change on the Kennedy Center’s website and building, he chose to cancel the concert in protest.
Within days, Richard Grenell, who was Kennedy Center president at the time, sent Chuck Redd a letter condemning the cancellation as "classic intolerance and very costly to a nonprofit Arts institution." Grenell threatened to seek $1 million in damages, and the Kennedy Center officially filed the lawsuit on March 6.
Earlier this month, Richard Grenell stepped down from his position and was succeeded by Matt Floca, who formerly managed the Kennedy Center’s facilities operations. Meanwhile, plans are underway for the Kennedy Center to close later this summer for renovations expected to last about two years.
The lawsuit’s dismissal motion and the Kennedy Center’s response will be closely watched as the case unfolds in the D.C. Superior Court.
This story was originally reported by The Associated Press.
