The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival announced
today that Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings — one of the most buzzed-about acts at
this year’s festival – has cancelled its upcoming album release and touring
schedule for this year due to Jones’ recent diagnosis of stage one bile-duct
cancer. The band will not be performing its free concert as part of the Jazz
Fest on June 28.
Instead the James Hunter Six will take the 9 p.m. slot at
the East & Alexander stage, with blues singer Shemekia
Copeland taking the 7 p.m. slot.
The full press release follows:
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Cancel Album Release and Touring For 2013 – Including Appearance at Xerox
Rochester International Jazz Fest on June 28
Health Concerns Necessitate Postponement
James Hunter Six to Play at 9PM — Shemekia
Copeland Added to Lineup at 7PM
Both Concerts Free!
Rochester, NY–June 3, 2013–Sharon Jones & the
Dap-Kings announced today, that plans to tour and release their upcoming album
in 2013 have been postponed.
According to her tour management, “Sharon Jones, who
was scheduled to perform at a free concert at the Xerox Rochester International
Jazz Festival on June 28 at 9PM, has been diagnosed with stage-one bile duct
cancer, which has fortunately been discovered early and has not spread. It is
expected that the immediate proposed surgical solution will lead to a full
recovery, but because of its invasive and complex nature, will necessitate a
rather lengthy convalescence. A new release date and rescheduled tours
worldwide will be announced at a later date.”
The James Hunter Six, previously scheduled for 7PM on June
28th, will now play at 9PM. Added to the schedule, now performing at 7PM on the
28th, will be two-time Grammy nominee, Shemekia
Copeland. Both are free shows on the City of Rochester East Avenue and Chestnut
Street Stage presented by Rochester General Health System.
John Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director for XRIJF said,
“We send Sharon our very best wishes for good health and a speedy recovery
on behalf of the festival and all her fans here in Rochester. She will be
missed and we hope that she will be able to join at a future festival.”
In a statement, “Sharon would like her fans to know
that she is anxious to get back on her feet, and that she is “down, but
not out!” Give The People What They Want will NOT be released on Aug 6,
2013 as previously scheduled.”
Jones said, “Over the last few weeks I haven’t felt
good and I didn’t know what was going on. We sadly had to cancel shows while I
went through a series of tests and short hospital stays. We just found out that
I have a stage-one tumor on my bile duct. Luckily we caught it really early and
fast and the doctors say it’s operable and curable! I will be having surgery
very soon and will have to rest and recover. I’ll be staying in touch and
keeping my fans and friends updated on my progress. I’m looking forward to
getting back on the road to give the people what they want!”
This article appears in May 29 – Jun 4, 2013.
