"More artists have canceled scheduled performances at the Kennedy Center following the addition of President Donald Trump's name to the facility, with jazz supergroup The Cookers pulling out of a planned New Year's Eve concert, and the institution's president saying the cancellations belie the artists' unwillingness to see their music as crossing lines of political disparity. The fresh round of cancellations after Trump put his name on the building follows an earlier artist backlash in spring."
"The Cookers, a jazz supergroup performing together for nearly two decades, announced their withdrawal from "A Jazz New Year's Eve" on their website, saying the "decision has come together very quickly" and acknowledging frustration from those who may have planned to attend. The group didn't mention the building's renaming or the Trump administration but did say that, when they return to performing, they wanted to ensure that "the room is able to celebrate the full presence of the music and everyone in it,""
""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.""
Artists have increasingly canceled scheduled performances at the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump's name was added to the facility. Jazz supergroup The Cookers withdrew from a planned New Year's Eve concert and cited a desire for performances that celebrate the full presence of the music and everyone in it. Saxophonist Billy Harper said he would never consider performing in a venue whose name and board represent overt racism and deliberate destruction of African American music and culture. Earlier backlash followed Trump's ousting of the Kennedy Center board and his self-appointment as chairman, prompting several performers and advisers to cancel or resign. The White House said a Trump-appointed board approved the renaming.
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