Soul singer Sharon Jones has been diagnosed with a stage-one tumor on her bile duct, causing her band Sharon Jones &The Dap-Kings to cancel upcoming performances.
According to the official website, Jones and her band have also cancelled the release of their sixth album "Give The People What They Want" and touring scheduled this year.
"Hey Everyone-Over the last few weeks I haven't felt good and I didn't know what was going on," said a tweet on her timeline on June 3. "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!" the tweet continued.
Jones' friends offered her their support through their social networks.
"Please send prayers and good energy to my dear sweet friend and incredible singer Sharon Jones," tweeted Ledisi.
Jones, now 57, worked as a corrections officer and armored car guard for many years, before she got her big break in the music biz in 1996. The first album of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings was released in 2002, titled "Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings". The band is said to be at the helm of a revival movement for soul and funk music.
According to a profile on Daptone Records: "Their albums recall an analog era of iconic studios like those at Motown and Stax Records and have thrust Jones and the Dap-Kings into the multimedia limelight."
Jones has sung with Michael Buble for a track called "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" on his 2009 album. She has also performed with Lou Reed on tour.
According to an article on Huffington Post that cites information available from the National Cancer Society, "Bile duct cancer is quite rare, with only 2,000 to 3,000 people developing the condition each year in the U.S."
