In a post on his official Web site, the singer explains, “This became urgent as I was not only experiencing a lot of pain in my upper back and arms, but my walking and balance has progressively worsened over the last eight weeks, with very recent diagnostics indicating a need for immediate surgery to relieve a compression on the spinal cord.

“The surgeon assures me that this is a rather common procedure and although there are risks involved in any surgery, and especially of this type where the spinal cord is in close proximity, he expects the surgery to proceed without incident.”

Jarreau was admitted to USC Medical Center in Los Angeles for surgery September 12. He was right in the middle of a tour supporting his upcoming album, All I Got.

There’s no word on rescheduled dates for the concerts affected, which include gigs in Chicago, New York City, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, San Diego, New Orleans, Glenside, Pa; and Clearwater, Fla.