The Modesto Symphony Orchestra has gone “Bad.”
But don’t worry, the symphony hasn’t signed on for a life of crime. Instead its 22nd annual Picnic at the Pops show will celebrate the music of the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson (1958-2009). The outdoor show will be Saturday, Sept. 10, at the E.&J. Gallo Winery grounds.
As in years past, the event invites audience members to picnic on the grass while enjoying a pop-themed show from the symphony. This year’s theme will span Jackson’s 40-year career, from his Jackson 5 days to his solo superstar status. Performing as Jackson will be entertainer James Delisco, who has embodied the entertainer for symphonic shows produced by Wildborne Music since 2010.
Delisco has performed around the world and headlined in Vegas. His interest in Jackson is deeply rooted. He said when he was 12 years old growing up in Jacksonville, Fla., a counselor asked him if he’d like to go on a field trip. A group of students was then bused downtown to what they thought was going to be a football game.
“But it was a Michael Jackson concert. A lot of people don’t know, but at every concert Michael would block off hundreds of seats for underprivileged children, and I was one of those kids,” he said. “He sang ‘Human Nature,’ and when he got to the line ‘Why oh why,’ a laser shot out into the night sky. As he reached out his hand, I felt something move inside of me. I’d never felt that emotion before. I started to tear up. I said to myself, as a 12-year-old kid, I’m going to do this. Knew somehow, some way I’d be doing that.”
Delisco went on to attend a performing arts high school. In 2005 he was a contestant on the E! reality series “The Entertainer” presented by Wayne Newton and won, earning a $1 million headlining contract at the Las Vegas Hilton. Delisco is scheduled to start an Australian tour of the Broadway show “Kinky Boots” this fall.
The program will feature music from Jackson’s career, from his earliest days through his 1991 album “Dangerous.” The rundown of hits will include everything from “ABC” to “Beat It,” “Rock With You” to “Smooth Criminal” and, yes, “Bad.” The Wildborne Music show will include Delisco as well as conductor Brent Havens and backup vocalists Felicia Barton and Kelli Reisen.
Delisco said adding a symphony to Jackson’s music adds depth to the performance.
“We tell this story to weave into the music with the added experience of the orchestra. It’s such an amazing experience. It adds another element of Michael’s music. In ‘Billie Jean,’ you hear strings with an actual string section,” he said.
What makes Jackson’s music endure through the years, Delisco said, is how it still touches so many. And that’s what he hopes to do with the tribute show.
“A lot of people say ‘I’ve never been to a Michael Jackson concert, and this is the closest thing I’ll ever come to seeing him.’ People say you bring back memories,” he said. “They say I met my girlfriend or my boyfriend to that song. It’s just a fun time. Michael inspired a generation and was the biggest inspiration for me.”
Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic at the Pops is Saturday, Sept. 10, at E.&J. Gallo Winery.
Samantha H. Photography Samantha H. Photography
SOURCE: Modbee
