Just two days before they were scheduled to perform at New Year’s Eve program at the Kennedy Center, the Jazz band The Cookers cancelled the event.
The cancellation is the latest in a growing list of artists and organizations who have cancelled Kennedy Center events.
In a statement The Cookers said, “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice. Some of us have been making this music for many decades, and that history still shapes us.” They added they were, “reiterating a commitment to playing music that reaches across divisions rather than deepening them.”
The group mentioned no names or current issues at the Kennedy Center; however, saxophone player Billy Harper was clear when he posted on social media, that he “would never even consider performing in a venue bearing a name (and being controlled by the kind of board) that represents overt racism and deliberate destruction of African American music and culture. The same music I devoted my life to creating and advancing.”
After Jazz artists for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve performances have cancelled their events, Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell said the “boycotts” were a “form of derangement syndrome”. He has also referred to the cancellations as a “political stunt”.
In a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press, Grenell said, “the last minute cancellations prove that they were always unwilling to perform for everyone — even those they disagree with politically; adding that the Kennedy Center had been “flooded with inquiries from real artists willing to perform for everyone and who reject political statements in their artistry.”
Doug Varone and Dancers took to social media to announce that they have also cancelled their performances that were scheduled for April saying they, “can no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution.”
While Grenell has yet to say whether he would pursue any legal action over The Cookers cancellation; after Chuck Redd cancelled the Christmas Eve performance, Grenell threatened to pursue legal action to collect $1 million over the affair.
The annual gala The Kennedy Center Honors recently aired on CBS with a 35% drop in viewer ratings.
Shortly after taking office, The White House made a hostile takeover of The Kennedy Center; ousting the bi-partisan board of directors and installing loyalists including some White House staff.
Immediately, artists began cancelling their performances including Issa Rae and the “Hamilton” run next year. Advisors at The Kennedy Center, Ben Folds and Renee Flemming left their positions.
In a move many critics saw coming, The Kennedy Center board voted to rename The Kennedy Center – an act reserved for Congress who name The Kennedy Center after assassinated President John F. Kennedy) – The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, or Trump Kennedy Center for short; which has sparked another bout of performance cancellations.
Bluegrass banjo player Randy Barrett has decided to keep his engagement for next month saying,“he was deeply troubled by the politicization of the venue and respected those who had canceled but feels that our tribalized country needs more music and art, not less. It’s one of the few things that can bring us together.”