A.J. Croce
Live in Davenport, Iowa
by Jeremy Glazier
The Adler Theater in Davenport, Iowa, has a long and distinct Eastern Iowa history dating back to the 1920s. Renamed The Adler in the 1980s, it has brought a plethora of musical talent to the area. Legends like John Prine, The Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Wilco, Gordon Lightfoot, ZZ Top, and Chicago have all graced the stage.
July 21, 2024, the historic venue welcomed the ever-talented A.J. Croce and his band as he continued his Croce Plays Croce tour.
December of last year marked the 50th anniversary of A.J.’s father, Jim Croce’s, final album, I Got a Name, released after his passing in September of 1973. Croce Plays Croce is A.J.’s homage to his father’s short but groundbreaking 18-month career, Jim’s music, and the influences they both shared as musicians. While more than half the show is A.J. performing his father’s songs, you also get to experience A.J.’s talented musicianship and original songwriting mixed in with covers of Sam Cooke, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Billy Preston, and even some Faces.
The 2-hour show includes 25 songs, paced with just enough time for A.J. to tell stories of his father and his experiences with legends like Ray Charles, Allen Toussaint, and Leon Russell, and to showcase the fact that although A.J. carries a famous last name, he built his career and talent through hard work and dedication to his craft. He has also stacked his backing band with legends as well, with Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller/Van Morrison) on drums, David Barard (Dr. John) on bass, and James Pennebaker (Delbert McClinton) on guitar.
Catch this celebration of music now, as A.J. has dates listed on his website through the end of November.
