A Look Backstage

Christina Aguilera’s main man at her concert Tuesday night in Los Angeles wasn’t her husband Jordan Bratman. Instead, it  was Jamie King, director and visionary of her jazz, rhythm and blues show, “Back to Basics.”

Seconds after opening act The Pussycat Dolls slinked offstage, King took his spot at the Staple Center control booth and discussed with On The Town the diva’s design while various dark-clad techies buzzed around.

“We wanted the theme to stick with the album’s title, ‘Back to Basics.’ So, it’s old mixed in with the new. You have old ‘20s and ‘30s elements made modern in the show,” said King minutes before raising the curtain on Aguilera. “It’s Christina’s first time out there alone," he said. "Last time we were in L.A. she performed with Justin (Timberlake). She’s grown up and commands the stage.”

A choreographer who began his career as a back-up dancer for Prince, King has quickly become a highly coveted pop concert director, and has worked with Madonna, Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin.

King's goal is to work with each performer to try to incorporate their own personal elements and artistic growth in the show.  While Madonna’s horse accident was fodder for her “Confessions” tour, Aguilera’s musical time warp is center stage in “Basics,” beginning with a ‘70s disco rendition of “Ain’t No Other Man” and ultimately segueing to a ‘20s carnival rendition of “Dirrty.”

“This is a baby, Christina and I had,” says King about “Basics,” “Now it’s a beast and it grows and matures on its own.”  (A. D’Alessandro)