Aretha Franklin
photo by Matthew Jordan Smith

Aretha Franklin cancels NOLA Jazz Fest & NJ show due to doctor's orders

Aretha Franklin has been forced to cancel two upcoming concerts due to health. “Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months,” her management said in a statement. The canceled dates include her headlining performance at New Orleans Jazz Fest, and a Newark show that would have happened at NJPAC on March 25, her 76th birthday.

Aretha had said last year that she planned to retire from touring but so far she’s been continuing to schedule shows this year. She currently has upcoming dates at Boston’s Bach Center Wang Theatre on 6/2, Long Island’s NYCB Theatre at Westbury on 6/9, and Toronto Jazz Fest on 6/28.