Music Blog

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!"