Musician Chuck Redd fights Kennedy Center lawsuit over canceled performance

An internationally known jazz musician asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought against him by the Kennedy Center after he canceled a performance in protest of President Donald Trump’s increased control of the performing arts center.

Drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd canceled a Christmas Eve performance he’s hosted at the Kennedy Center for 20 years.

Redd was sued for breach of contract, but his lawyer said there’s more at stake than contract law.

Included in the motion filed by Redd’s attorneys is an email to the Kennedy Center dated Dec. 19, 2025 — the day Trump’s name was added to the center created to honor President John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated. 

“No choice but to cancel December 24^th,” the subject line read.

“I would feel profoundly uncomfortable playing there as long as it has the added name,” Redd wrote.

Attorney Lisa Banks says Redd never signed the contract to perform at the “Christmas Eve Jazz Jam,” which is free of charge to the public.

“He has strong feelings about what he views as an illegal name change at a living memorial to President Kennedy,” she said. “So, because of that, he chose not to perform, and that is his right. And when he was sued for breach of contract, we’re moving to dismiss because there was no contract, there were no economic damages.”

“But again, this was not about money,” Banks said. “This was about muzzling Chuck Redd.”

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who knows Redd, derided the Kennedy Center’s lawsuit.

“Nobody should be forced to play someplace where it violates their conscience to do so, but it goes way beyond that because this lawsuit by the new Trump Kennedy Center staff is utterly bogus,” he said. “It’s perhaps the worst contract action I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Redd’s decision was part of a flood of cancellations at the performing arts center following the name change and the president’s control over the venue. There have been numerous protests, including one Friday afternoon that featured a number of high profile artists, including Jane Fonda, Joan Baez, Sam Waterston and Billy Porter.

A group of artists and celebrity protesters led by Jane Fonda blasted President Trump for his changes to the Kennedy Center. Tommy McFly reports.

Layoffs and potential furloughs are expected as the performing arts center approaches a two-year closure for renovation.

News4 contacted the Kennedy Center for comment on Redd’s legal motion and awaits a reply.