Kauffman Center Presents Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary

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Photo contributed by Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Multi-faceted singer/songwriter A.J. Croce honors his late father, Jim Croce, with timeless tunes

Croce Plays Croce is a special night of music featuring multi-faceted singer/songwriter A.J. Croce performing a complete set of classics by his late father, Jim Croce. Added to the mix will be some of A.J.’s own tunes, plus songs that influenced both him and his father. Jim Croce was an American folk singer with a short-lived professional recording and touring career and decades of posthumous fame as one of the greatest songwriters and artists ever.

The show features a legendary band (including drummer Gary Mallaber, bassist David Barard, guitarist/violinist James Pennebaker) and a moving multi-media presentation accompanying Jim Croce’s songs. It was fan-demand for more and the camaraderie that A.J. felt with the audience, the players and the connection to his father’s timeless music that inspired him to embark on the 50th Anniversary tour for 2023. “The audience reaction has been so great,” says Croce. “The shows we did last year were not only met with a huge response, but I learned so much about what works and what resonates, we knew we had to keep going.”

The gifted multi-instrumentalist says besides the two albums Life and Times and I Got A Name, tracks from the popular You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – which fueled last year’s run – will also be part of the new show. “We’ll be playing songs representative from all 3 three albums, and also some songs the audience might not know from more obscure artists that I realized connected me and my father. It was those songs that eventually led me to do this show in the first place.” For more information about Croce Plays Croce visit ajcrocemusic.com/croce-playscroce.