Kenny Wizz as MJ

I always have mixed feelings about writing pieces for artists I promote lest I be accused of scratching my own back but for Kenny Wizz, I don’t really care and will throw caution to the wind because he’s not only good but great.

A month ago, I didn’t know who Kenny Wizz was. I didn’t know what his capabilities were. I harbored doubts when he was first offered to me although I’ve seen how talented he was on video. I always had the notion that nobody comes even slightly close to the King of Pop when it comes to dancing prowess and musical genius – but after spending a week with Kenny Wizz and watching him perform, I ate my words. When I was still negotiating with his manager, she cautioned me that he was a perfectionist and wanted to run things himself therefore I had to beware of his artistic temperament. I prepared myself for the prima donna type and psyched myself when I picked him up at the airport. Despite his flight being delayed by 24 hours, he turned out to be the complete opposite of what I expected. He was easy going, patient, cool, and funny. We immediately connected because my sense of humor was intense like his.

Wizz as he prefers to be called has been doing the Michael Jackson gig for close to 20 years and has been the top draw of the “Legends” show in Las Vegas for the past 11 years. There are hundreds of Michael Jackson tribute artists but he is one of the handful that could sing, talk, and dance live. Most of the others could dance but cannot sing. Nowadays, he has taken a leave from his regular Las Vegas gig to satisfy the demand for him to perform in South America, Europe, Asia, and of course other cities in the US.

Watching Wizz prepare for a performance is a show in itself. It starts early in the day when he runs five miles followed by vocalization then blocking and rehearsing the entire show sequence with the dancers then finally putting make up for over an hour for the distinctive Michael Jackson look. His repertoire opens with “Jam,” then goes into “Scream,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Billy Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” etc. Also part of the show is a visual tribute to the late King of Pop and closes with the audience singing along to “Heal The World.”

He does his own recordings and choreography; is a bona fide health buff sans vices like smoking; almost vegetarian and heavily into sports like basketball and golf. I played golf with him and couldn’t keep up with his energy.

Wizz does the craziest things and we almost always roll in laughter whenever we’re with him. One night after the show, we stopped at McDonald’s drive thru and he peeped out of the van window with complete Michael Jackson make up and ordered seven Quarter pounders with cheese in an Indian accent. The lady taking the order was dumbfounded.

On Thursday is his last performance (Celebration Hall, Pagcor Angeles, Angeles City) in the Philippines before flying to South Carolina for a Halloween show. Hopefully, he’ll return soon.