Musician Chuck Redd’s legal team announced that a judge from D.C. Superior Court has dismissed a breach of contract lawsuit against him. The case stemmed from Redd’s decision to cancel a Christmas Eve show at the Kennedy Center, a protest against President Donald Trump’s perceived sway over the institution.
The case was thrown out on Friday thanks to Washington’s Anti-SLAPP statutes, which aim to thwart frivolous lawsuits that seek to suppress free speech on public interest issues.
Redd, a renowned drummer and vibraphonist who has shared stages with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown, had been a staple at the Kennedy Center’s holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006. He opted out of the previous year’s event after the center’s board, appointed by Trump, decided to add the president’s name to the venue.
Lisa J. Banks, one of Redd’s attorneys, stated, “The Kennedy Center pursued legal action against Mr. Redd because he rightfully and publicly opposed honoring Donald Trump at a site dedicated to President John F. Kennedy. The court recognized this lawsuit for what it was—political retaliation—and rightly dismissed it with prejudice.”
Redd expressed his satisfaction with the ruling in an email to The Associated Press, saying he was “very pleased” with the outcome.
The dismissal motion, submitted in March, contended that Redd was not contractually bound to perform, highlighting the unsigned contract provided by the Kennedy Center.
Representatives for the Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit’s dismissal.
