Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau (allaboutjazz.com)

Sad news coming from one of Jazz legendary musicians, Al Jarreau.

The 70-year-old singer has been taken to a hospital in France with breathing problems, and was said in “critical” condition, as reported Friday by health officials.

Jarreau had been due to give a concert at a festival in nearby Barcelonnette, but cannot fulfill the performance because he fell ill, and was immediately taken to the intensive care unit of a clinic in the southern Alpine town of Gap late Thursday.

Hospital official Maurice Marchetti said the Grammy Award winner is still in the intensive care unit Friday and his condition is “worrisome.” Furthermore, the hospital released a statement, saying, “Doctors are concerned about his condition. He is being given appropriate treatment and they hope to see an improvement in the coming hours.”

The Milwaukee-born singer has won several Grammy awards and scores of international music prizes. Eventhough to many people his name is considered identical with Jazz, Jarreau has also involved with other genres of music, such as pop and R&B. He has released more than 20 albums between 1975 and 2009, and is in the midst of a European tour.

For the rest of his tour, he still have to make other stops planned for July, in Germany, Azerbaijan, Austria and Slovakia. Hopefully he will be able to continue the tour. Get well soon, Mr. Jarreau!