Kent’s Spotlight Series kicks off the new year with a performance by A.J. Croce at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17 at Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, 10020 SE 256th St.

Croce Plays Croce is a special evening of music featuring a complete set of classics by A.J.’s late father Jim Croce.

Croce is a multi-instrumentalist roots-rock artist, known for his boogie-woogie piano playing reminiscent of Dr. John. His music incorporates pop, blues, folk and jazz, and has charted on seven radio charts including Top 40. This concert will feature some of A.J.’s own tunes, songs that influenced both him and his father, and his father’s timeless songs such as “Operator,” “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” “Time in a Bottle,” (a song written for A.J.), “Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy), and “Lovers Cross.”

Croce’s 25-year touring and recording career has produced nine studio albums that have been released on both major and independent labels, and have charted 18 Top-20 singles. A virtuoso piano player, he has performed at a TED Talk and on major talk shows and news programs including The Late Show, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, CNN, MTV and VH1. He has toured with such esteemed artists as Willie Nelson; Lenny Kravitz; Earth, Wind and Fire; and B.B. King.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $15 for youths. Tickets may be purchased online at kentwa.gov/spotlightseries, by calling 253-856-5051 or in person at the Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. Hours for phone and in-person sales are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Box office is closed on Sunday.

Spotlight Series is presented by the Kent Arts Commission and Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services, and partially funded by 4Culture and a variety of business and individual sponsors. A.J. Croce is sponsored by Curran Law Firm.