Whoever that guy was, he seemed really excited to be playing with Jackson. He brought a lot of energy to the stage!
Jackson is known for helping new talent, and he's not afraid to share the stage with them.
On his 2008 album, Time the Conqueror, and on subsequent tours, he used two backup singers who he met in 2001 at a South Los Angeles high school. In 2012 and 2013 he toured with Sara Watkins and her band; hardly someone you would consider well known. He even released a concert DVD titled I'll Do Anything with Sara and her band backing him. And I love that Jackson supports and is involved with keeping music education in public schools.