The Genii Forum

Jamy Ian Swiss

Okay, so here's a bit of a news flash. My lecture on Thursday night is brand new, and it is not about conjuring. The lecture content - theory and new tricks - is drawn from the all new lecture manuscript entitled: "Dichotomies: Mentalism, Mental Magic, and the Difference."

So there.

Jamy Ian Swiss

Precisely the point I was trying to make, David. I do not mean "technique" in the narrow sense of technical skill, nor do I think Tommy intended it that way. But rather in the broader artistic sense -- everything that totals up to mean craft and art is part of the artist's "technique....

Jamy Ian Swiss

I believe that while your comment about the standing of magic is accurate, David (and timeless -- see Makelyne in "Our Magic"), it generally applies to variety arts. And I think that the real problem -- timeless and frustrating and insurmountable -- is Tommy Wonder's point in "The Boo...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Tony Giorgio was a treasure. A one-of-a-kind, bona fide, indelible, inimitable, larger than life character. Intelligent, articulate, well read, a lifetime of experiences that would seem like fiction to most. He was great company, great to be around, great to spend late nights with at Cantor's Deli (...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Tabby Crabb was the best magic pal I ever had whom I'd never met. We met online in the early 90s. We hit it off and remained friends ever since. Tabby was the first person thanked in my acknowledgments in my book, "Shattering Illusions," where I explained that he was responsible for my wri...

Jamy Ian Swiss

In case anyone missed the ad in the December (or upcoming in January) issue of Genii, my book, "Shattering Illusions," is now back in print and available at <a class="postlink" href="http://www.lulu.com">www.lulu.com</a>. Search on the title, or my name, and you'll find...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Earl, thankyou so much for that lovely detail. I mistakenly wrote Walking Liberty halves in the article.

(And thankyou for the magnificent illustrations for my trick, "The Flowering"!

Jamy

Jamy Ian Swiss

Since I'm always being asked about this, thought I'd post this auction I came across:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OOP-book-Jamy-Ian-S ... 0526196941

Good luck!

Jamy

Jamy Ian Swiss

You might be an editor, but you can't even spell my name. You might be an historian, but I guess you're unaware that Bob Cassidy has appeared on our stage at Monday Night Magic, New York's longest-running magic show. And you might be a mentalist, but you surely have no idea what I'm thinking, becaus...

Jamy Ian Swiss

I too had heard that he had cancer, but the news is no less shocking. Mahka was an astonishing magician, who created original card manipulations that stunned the magic world. He was as gracious and delighful a gentleman and colleague as he was a talented artist. It's a terrible and untimely loss.

Jamy Ian Swiss

This is very sad news, indeed. I was privileged to know Vanni for perhaps 20 years. He was a truly marvelous man, mind, and magician - a genuine Renaissance man. Gracious, stylish, intellectual, scholarly, and one of the cleverest magical creators and performs imaginable - an unsung maestro. Those t...

Jamy Ian Swiss

I have not commented here about Geoff, partly because I am writing something for Genii, partly because it's simply very difficult for me. I knew him well, very well, for a very long time, not only as a magician but as an intimate friend, and I would not exist as the magician I am without him. But I ...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Since my book is out of print and I get a lot of queries looking it, I thought I'd mention here that there is a signed copy currently on on ebay.

Jamy Ian Swiss

My opinion is clearly stated in 1364 words on my website. Anyone who cares to read it might discern that Mr. Crouch and I disagree.

Jamy Ian Swiss

Crouch is a zealot and a fool -- blinded and deafened by a bizarre personal ideology. He is not merely in the minority on this, he is out on some bizarre fringe -- that, quite appropriately, no one with any knowledge of the subject, much less any taste, could possibly give the slightest damn about. ...

Jamy Ian Swiss

The book went to the printer last week (it was waiting for the last of three contributed introductions, by Teller, Mike Close, and that last one written by ... um ... me). So my guess is we might see it in six to eight weeks, but at present Stephen Minch is away in Italy, so that's not authoritative...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Thanks for reading, and for your thinking, gentlemen. Ah, Bob Newhart -- sometimes I catch an old monologue of his on the in-flight comedy stations the airlines offer. A deadpan master. I vaguely recall Ace Trucking - they used to do Carson a lot. Fred Willard was a member. Thanks, guys. Glad the pi...

Jamy Ian Swiss

I've often had my doubts about Crouch, but that does it. He is grotesquely misguided. Pryor will long be revered after Crouch is a pseudo-academic footnote.

Jamy Ian Swiss

For any who might be interested ... to note the passing of one of the greatest performing artists of our time, I have posted an appreciation of Richard Pryor on my website. You can click from the appropriate "news" item on the home page at www.jamyianswiss.com.

Jamy Ian Swiss

This is from my friend Bruce Walstad. You may have come across his name before -- among many other things, he's an amateur magician and very active with his local magic club. He's a retired Illinois detective who is one of the country's leading experts on bunco crime, i.e., con games, scams, and wit...

Jamy Ian Swiss

OPERATION USA is an experienced, on-the-ground, hands-on rescue and relief organization that is actively taking part in relief efforts in Louisiana and the gulf. They have no religious affiliation, and have regretably not been included on the highly politicized (and religious) list that FEMA publish...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Boys, boys, let's not argue ... Kidding. Thanks for the kind words, Nathan. But as I'm sure you're aware if you have my manuscript, "Theurgical Thread," I always thoroughly credit Al Baker, and I provide the reference (to "The Rising Ring" in Baker's "Pet Secrets") in t...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Thanks very much, Tabman, for the kind remarks. I'm pleased you liked the lecture video. I of course agree with you about canned music, but it's difficult to avoid unless you arrange to have original music scored, which for this limited purpose simply wasn't worth the expense and effort. But you mak...

Jamy Ian Swiss

For the record, the palm-to-palm switch (adapted from a hustler's dice move), is the invention of the wonderful and highly influential New York magician, Earl "Presto" Johnson. Presto taught the move to Scott York during a chance encounter at Al's Magic in Washington DC, and Scott showed i...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Anyone who thinks my review presented objections to the use of gaffed cards must not have read the same review I wrote. For further details on my position concerning that subject, please see my extended essay in the first issue of Antinomy. For further details on my position concerning the use of no...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Hey, gang. I don't do many local lectures these days outside of conventions, so thought I'd post this brief note to let you know that this Thursday, June 16th, I will be lecturing in Philadelphia for Marc DaSouza. For reservations contact him directly at: marc@impossibilities.biz And on Thursday, Ju...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Dustin, you're dangerously close to "What the Professor might have done" territory ... ! Oh, if only the poor man had had the benefit of our genius ...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Well, Dustin, JR could also do that marketed item where you tear a card and find the coin inside it. How's that for satisfying both sides?

Now, if we could work in a billiard ball ...

Jamy Ian Swiss

BTW, Hindu shuffles are virtually always unnatural (at least in the U.S.). And mixing shuffles is generally a bad idea. Let's not be showing off our catalog of shuffling skills. Most laymen develop a habit and stick with it. I do think you mix overhands and in-the-hand riffles from time to time, but...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Oh, please. One selection is returned; as spread is closed, take break with X card above, control to top by any method, for example, Double Undercut. Now spread for second return, break spread at last moment (when spectator is about to insert card -- whatI call Classic Forcing the return), take next...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Future Clinic plans that are under consideration include: Close-up Clinic w/David Ben -- this September in NYC For 2006: Card Clinic w/Roberto Giobbi Stack Clinic w/Michael Close For the 2006 Clinics, one would be in NYC and the other in Las Vegas. I do not intend to produce future Clinics outside o...

Jamy Ian Swiss

The 4th Card Clinic, in Washington DC, is now history. As you can likely gather from Kevin's post, Howie Schwarzman was the enthusiastically received mystery lecturer. Richard Kaufman was also on hand for much of the Clinic. Posts from other Clinicians past and present are welcome here. Hope to see ...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Latest update: Card Clinic in Concert, the public show. The next Card Clinic is only weeks away. On Friday night, June 3rd, we will present our public show, "Card Clinic in Concert," featuring Roberto Giobbi and Jamy Ian Swiss. This is a rare opportunity to see these two contemporary sleig...

Jamy Ian Swiss

Well, it is true that we try to present old-timers.

Jamy Ian Swiss

As ever, the estimable Mr. Gallo is a bottomless well of invaluable wisdom.

Jamy Ian Swiss

Thanks very much for the kind words, Joe. A gratifying reminder to me that one of the best parts of Card Clinic is the relationships that develop, among registrants and organizers alike. Thanks.

Jamy Ian Swiss

Well, one never does, does ...

Ah, the hell with it. This time, one knows!

Jamy Ian Swiss

And thank-you for the good words, Jeff.

Jamy Ian Swiss

Six weeks and counting until the next Card Clinic featuring Roberto Giobbi, the only such Clinic planned for 2005. Registrations are mounting and we have no more than six spaces available. It's an interesting and eclectic group that has signed up for this next Clinic - and there's still time to be a...

Jamy Ian Swiss

So it's time for a brief update: Plans are moving forward on the next Card Clinic, June 3 - 5, in Washington DC. We have a terrific guest Mystery Lecturer now confirmed, someone I've been looking forward to inviting since the inception of Card Clinic, who will continue in the classical traditions of...

Search found 111 matches