Grammy-winner Al Jarreau hospitalized in France

Grammy Award-winning jazz, pop and R&B singer Al Jarreauis in critical condition in a French hospitalafter falling ill just ahead of a scheduled performance on Thursday.

Jarreau, 70, was set to take the stage for a concert in Barcelonette, located in southern France near the Italian border, when he fell ill.He was flown to a hospital in the city of Gap, where he was admitted with respiratory problems, according to French health officials.

On Friday, Jarreau remained in the intensive care unit and is in critical condition, according to Maurice Marchetti, deputy head of the hospital.

However, he is conscious, breathing without assistance and his health seems to be stablizing, Marchetti said.

He added that though doctors aren't completely certain of what occurred, they believe fatigue and the altitude in Barcelonette located in thesouthern French Alps may have played a role in the incident.

Also on Friday, Jarreau's agentannounced thatthe singer's next few concert appearances are cancelled.

"Upon medical advice, [he] was advised not to perform to allow him time to recover," Marshall Arts Ltd. said in a statement.

In addition to the show he missed in France on Thursday, also cancelled are two appearances in Germany and another in Azerbaijan. It's hoped Jarreau will be able to restart his current European tour next Thursday in Nuremberg, Germany.

He is also slated to perform in the U.S. and Japan later this year.

The smooth-voiced, Milwaukee-born Jarreau is known for his affable personality and wide musical range. A multiple Grammy-winner, the singer has released more than 20 albums since the mid-1970s.

His hits include We're in This Love Together, Breakin' Away, After All and the theme song to TV's Moonlighting.