Showing posts with label Master. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Master. Show all posts

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Jeff McBride: Master of Illusion

Like many magicians, Jeff McBride found magic fascinating at a very young age. While most kids just enjoy watching magic, Jeff decided right then and there that this was going to be his career. He performed his first trick at the ripe old age of eight and continued to perfect his form. Jeff was eventually discovered and at the age of sixteen, he found himself opening for the Fania Allstars.

Performing in Japan opened Jeff's eyes to many new things. One thing that fascinated Jeff was Kabuki Theater. This fascination led him to incorporate this art form into his magic act, giving it a truly unique quality that few if any of the magic acts at the time could offer. It did not take long before the world started to notice this very unique and very young magician.

After moving to New York, Jeff took on a full-time position at a local magic shop while attending the American Mime School. During this time, Jeff was also working the local club circuit. It was at one of these performances that Billy Barnes, an agent to many stars at the time, noticed him and got his name on the dotted line. This would be the start of a huge career for Jeff.

In no time at all, Jeff found himself opening for such legendary stars as Tina Turner and Diana Ross. Before long, Jeff was being sought after as the main headliner for his own show. Eventually, he was given his own show in Las Vegas at the Hilton. At the age of 25, Jeff had officially made it to the big time. By this time, his shows were incorporating everything he had learned over the years to create a true magical spectacle.

While many famous magicians are stuck in the limelight, Jeff has made sure that he passes on the skills that he has learned over the years to the next generation of magicians. He is just as famous for his lectures and teaching as he is for his on-stage performances. Individuals are just as likely to see Jeff doing a magic workshop at The Disney Institute as they are to see him giving a lecture at McDonald's Hamburger University. His ability to relate to everyone has made him a success regardless of the venue in which he speaks. Jeff has introduced magic in a way that few performers have been able to and has shown many people that a little magic goes a long way in life.

If you would like to learn magic just like the tricks Jeff performs, visit the online magic shop, MagicTrickStore.com today! This online magic trick store features lots of great kits and tricks for all ages to enjoy. You never know, you just might be the world's next great magician!


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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Ricky Jay: The Card Master

Ricky Jay is a master magician, known for his sleight of hand illusions. However, there is more to this man than magic as he is also an actor, consultant, author, and historian. Born Richard Jay Potash in Brooklyn, NY, in 1948, he was introduced to the world of magic by his grandfather, Max Katz, who was an amateur magician. Ricky Jay, as he is now known, is now one of the most famous card tricksters.

The one-man show Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants earned him the Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards for Outstanding Achievement. Ricky Jay: On the Stem recently ended a critically acclaimed seven-month run in New York City. David Mamet directed both of these shows and A Rogue's Gallery. Mr. Jay was cast in several films directed by Mr. Mamet, including Heist and House of Games. He also appeared in other films, including Tomorrow Never Dies, Magnolia, and Boogie Nights.

On the small screen, Mr. Jay starred in the X-Files episode entitled, "The Great Maleeni." He was both a writer and guest star during the 2004 season of the HBO western drama, Deadwood. A stage debut occurred at the New York Shakespeare Festival for the Joseph Papp production of Midsummer Night's Dream.

In the realm of magic, Mr. Jay landed himself in the Guinness Book of Records by throwing a playing card a total of 190 feet at the rate of 90 miles per hour. This record stood until recently, when Rick Smith, Jr. broke it by throwing a card 216 feet. Mr. Jay can throw a card into a rind of watermelon from a distance of ten paces. In addition to card throwing, he is famous for his memory feats, card tricks, and stage speeches.

This illusionist takes his art seriously and collects manuscripts, art, artifacts, and rare books regarding the history of magic, confidence games, frauds, and gambling. He is known to spend more than $5,000 on single books. As a historian, he once served a curator of the Mulholland Library of Conjuring and the Allied Arts and authored an illustrated history regarding early trick conjuring books, called The Magic Magic Book.

As the owner of the consulting firm Deceptive Practices, Mr. Jay has been able to provide expertise for Broadway productions, films like Forrest Gump, and several museum exhibitions. His firm provides clients with what he terms "arcane knowledge." However, Mr. Jay will always be most well-known for his impressive card tricks.

Magic tricks have always been a great way to catch the look of a beautiful woman, entertain children, and to impress friends. If you would like to follow in the footsteps of Rick Jay and learn magic tricks that will mesmerize, visit MagicTrickStore.com today!


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