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Croce Plays Croce at SHU Community Theatre on Tuesday, February 13.
With a legacy spanning over 50 years and over 50 million records sold, Jim Croce remains an iconic singer/songwriter. A.J. Croce, a Billboard charting singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performer, returns to pay tribute to his father's classic songs with his "Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour." After establishing his own career with 10 studio albums and 30 years of global touring, A.J. taught himself guitar in the early 2000s, delving into his father Jim's classics. The fan response to incorporating songs like "Operator" into his own shows was overwhelming and deeply emotional.
This led A.J. to debut in a concert celebrating the legacy of his father's songs, stories, and music, intertwining it with his own repertoire. The show features two generations of Croce music, along with songs by other artists, connecting father and son as performers. Over the past seven years, A.J.'s "Croce Plays Croce" tour has consistently sold-out performing arts centers across America. In 2022, honoring the 50th anniversary of Jim's breakthrough album, "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," A.J. embarked on a fall tour with a seven-piece ensemble and a multimedia production, paying homage to his father's memory.
This year, A.J. hits the road once again to celebrate two of Jim Croce’s legendary albums: 1973’s "Life and Times" and his final release, "I Got a Name," in addition to songs from "You Don’t Mess Around with Jim." The eagerly awaited performances, part of the "Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour," kick off on October 27, coinciding with the October 13 release of "The Definitive Croce" collection. The tour includes performances at historic venues like New York City’s Town Hall and Detroit’s Royal Oak Music Theatre, with continued shows across the country throughout the next year.
The "Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary" show features a legendary band, including drummer Gary Mallaber (Van Morrison/Steve Miller Band), bassist/singer David Barard (Dr. John), and guitarist/violinist James Pennebaker (Delbert McClinton), accompanied by background singers Jackie Wilson and Katrice Donaldson.
The performances will also include a captivating multimedia presentation and encompass all of Jim’s chart-topping hits and many deep cuts.
