The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has canceled her upcoming headlining set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Her slot at the festival’s Acura Stage—scheduled for Saturday, April 28th—will be filled by replacement headliner Rod Stewart.
Unfortunately, Franklin’s will be unable to perform at a number of other previously scheduled concerts as well due to doctor’s orders. A statement from the legendary singer’s management reads:
Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months. She is extremely disappointed she cannot perform at this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as she had expected and hoped to.
As previously reported, this year’s Jazz Fest will also feature performances by Aerosmith, Sting, Jimmy Buffet, David Byrne, Jack White, Beck, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, Bonnie Raitt, Sturgill Simpson, Khaled, LL Cool J with DJ Z-Trip, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Common Cage The Elephant, and many more. Plenty of Louisiana favorites will be on hand for the annual celebration as well, including Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Revivalists, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, The Radiators, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jon Batiste with The Dap-Kings, Big Freedia, Rebirth Brass Band, Tank & The Bangas, Dumpstaphunk, Galactic, and Better Than Ezra, among dozens of others.
Jazz Fest will return to its longtime home at New Orleans’ Fair Grounds Race Course on April 27th – 29th and May 3rd – 6th. Tickets for the festival are currently on sale via the event website.
We wish Aretha Franklin all the best. Rest up and get well soon!