A Christmas Eve jazz concert that had become a cherished holiday ritual at the Kennedy Center came to an abrupt end this year after veteran musician Chuck Redd withdrew from the performance in protest over a controversial branding decision involving former President Donald Trump.

Redd, who had been closely associated with the concert for more than two decades, said the decision to attach Trump’s name to Kennedy Center branding conflicted with the spirit and meaning of the annual event. For him, the performance was never just another booking on the calendar, but a tradition rooted in celebration, continuity, and a shared sense of cultural warmth that transcended politics. Walking away, he said, was deeply painful but necessary. Continue reading…