I'm sure most of the other people who hang out in here probably worship Jeff like I do but here is a question. Who in here thinks that they can equal (or exceed I suppose) Jeff as a manipulator? Here's the important part though. WHY?

I am not, I can do many sleights but my technical skill is not as consistent as his and my presentation is no where near as good. I am trying to ascertain what other people think makes Jeff so good (or what doesn't). Hope this is thought provoking!

-Dan

In my opinion, Jeff McBride is one of the finest PRESENTATION magicians there is. His card manipulation skills astound me, and his mask routine is wonderful. He brings a showmanship to the stage that few can top. He's one of the few who can entertain with a storyline, and the magic seems to follow.

Jeff has truly dedicated himself to what he does, totally dedicating yourself to anything is quite difficult. I think it is a matter of how bad do you want to be the best? Jeff is a great example of the 24/7 dedication that it takes.

I'm sure there is someone out there who could possibly rival Jeff, he just hasn't surfaced yet.

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I have been a friend of Jeff’s for many, many years. He has always been a good friend. He is a GREAT magician. Always ready to play, talk shop and help in any way he can.

I have booked Jeff a few times for public shows and he always delivers one hell of a show!

I would work with him and his crew any day! I would like to see someone with the same skills and love of magic of Jeff but to this day… I have not.

Michael Night
http://www.magicstudioonline.com
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Jeff is the best but Juliana Chen comes close

Actually since I posted that I've met Jeff and he is an awesome guy as well as a great magician. Pretty much my whole philosophy of magic has changed since then so this post is a little irrelevant now.

-Dan

Over the past years I have studied a whole ton of manipulation, and agree that McBride is good...but not the best.

There are people from the Orient (Shimada, Tenkai, Mahka Tendo...) that put McBride to shame. And guess what??? They actually do their own original productions. But McBride doesn't perform his productions in his act.

Can you honestly say that you do all your moves that you perform are "your" moves?

No...but, nobody's tryng to say I'm the best when there are other peole out there that do. And I never said he had to make a whole act out of his productions, just for him to do them.
And I do perform my own productions in my act.

If they don't fit his act then he won't add them.

He says that he uses some of his on his tour too if my memory serves me right.

Gary

Pyro, whether or not Jeff is the best is debatable. He certainly is very good, however, with all due respect to Juliana Chen, she is not a close second.

Before I continue I should say that Juliana Chen is a very entertaining performer and I have enjoyed her shows on several occasions. But magicians such as McBride, Burton, and others of that ilk are in a class by themselves.

Rod

I, agree, Juliana Chen is no where in the league of McBride or a lot of other manipulators. Her hands are so small that her cards flashed big time on WGM. Part of this was not her fault because of the way it was shot (way too close).

In my mind, trying to decide who is best is like trying to decide which color is prettiest. It's subjective. People are going to like different performers and I think that's good.

I think there's a lot of patriotism and home field advantage in any choice of magicians anyway, be it here or in a competition like FISM. We can't separate ourselves from our own prejudices unless first we recognize them.

What makes Jeff so good is that he has learned that magic is not about fooling people or about wowing them with skill. He realized that magic is entertainment and that you can entertain your audiences in many ways.

He does not simply have a show of pure skill alone. If you noticed, he gives the audience so much more, through the use of dance, music, choreography, kubuki, theater, legend, etc.

These are what I call the layers that he adds to his presentations that then allows the audience to be drawn in to his acts and routines. They learn to connect with him on an emotional level and walk out not just liking the magic...but liking HIM as a performer.

His personality connects with the audience as does his style and character on stage. Jeff understands all of this and that is why there will be no equal. Jeff is his own person and we should all strive to learn a little bit from what he has already done.

Kyle

To me Jeff McBride is my favorite magician, even though I have never seen him in person to perform and would love to but I keep missing him when he performs.

To me everyone has an opinion on who they like. When entering this site it says "Magicians helping Magicians". To me it's looking like a review board of who is better than who. Each magician does things that fit themselves and I would have to guess when a magician reaches the level of a Jeff McBride, I am sure he does not sit there and say, "I am better than so and so." I bet he says to himself, "What can I learn from this person?"

To me magic is not like a sport where people compete to be the best. Magic is art and art is to please others and to let the artist express themselves through a different medium.

Enjoy magic and take the time to watch others enjoy it.

The first time I saw Jeff perform was 1995 at Abbots and then he had his master class the next day. I was quite moved by his performance and his creativity. Theatrically he is a great performer and knows how to put together a great presentation well. He has studied various forms of theatre and gets into character very well.

I don't think there is an equal to Jeff, as I believe that anyone can do what has achieved. It takes a lot of effort, time, strategy and practice.

I think what makes Jeff McBride such an amazing magician is that he is dedicated to every part of his show. Not only is he an unbelievable manipulator, but he is also great in Mime and Dance.

Also, he is a great showman. I saw him perform live and before the show, he was walking around doing close up magic and talking with the audience. After the show, he came down again and signed pictures and dvd's.

The Houdini Days Magic Festival will be a great place to see Jeff McBride's performances and attend his Intensive Workshop. Check out the details at the website: http://www.houdinidays.com

Norm Neilsen is the best card manipulator on the planet.

Bill