Jon Batiste is unexpectedly clearing several dates from his calendar.
The eight-time Grammy winner has canceled a string of upcoming performances in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, citing unspecified “personal circumstances.” The affected dates include his scheduled August 13 performance at Connecticut’s Westville Music Bowl.
“Hello! As I navigate some personal circumstances, I unfortunately need to cancel a portion of my upcoming performance dates,” Batiste wrote in a statement that was shared on Westville Bowl’s Instagram account Tuesday, August 11.
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Batiste did not elaborate on what prompted the cancellations, but assured disappointed fans that he hopes to return to the stage soon. He also noted that refunds will be available through the original point of purchase. “Thank you for your understanding and continued support. I truly can’t wait to come back and perform for you soon,” he finished the statement.
The musician’s announcement comes about a month after his wife, author and musician Suleika Jaouad, opened up about the realities of living with cancer. “One of illness’s optical illusions is that an empty calendar translates into free time,” Jaouad wrote on Instagram on July 16. “The reality is that entire days disappear into appointments and infusions and the fog of fatigue and the administrative labor of having a body.”
Batiste has not said whether his canceled performances have any connection to Jaouad’s health, so the reason behind the decision remains private.
He’s also not the only big-name performer to recently pull the plug on scheduled appearances. ZZ Topcanceled its August 5 Hollywood Bowl performance amid drummer Frank Beard’s health issues, with frontman Billy Gibbons citing “Insurmountable obstacles.” The band later continued performing with Michael Monahan filling in for Beard.
Meanwhile, Jelly Rollrecently revealed that he’s planning a much longer break from touring following his final scheduled U.S. performance, telling fans in late July, “I’m fixing to take some time off and heal.”
For Batiste, however, the cancellations don’t appear to signal a retreat from music altogether. He’s currently rolling out his new albums, Monk Meditations and Monk Movements, and teased that he and his team are exploring other opportunities to share live music. “There’s much more to come,” he wrote, “and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”
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