Close-up Artiste and Poker Player

March 22, 2009

Dear Friends,

Some of you have been asking where are the videos I've promised to upload. To be frank, I have somewhat stopped working on card tricks and flourishes since May 2008. My main focus at the moment is close-up magic and mentalism, and - here's something most of you don't know about me - I've always been an avid poker player and I've only recently made the conscious decision to really develop my game (I guess it makes sense when you live in the gaming capital of the world!). But don't get the wrong idea, I still love magic and card tricks are still a staple in all of my shows.

Why did I stop working on card tricks and flourishes? Cyril Takayama has always been my favorite performer and my approach to magic changed completely after meting him in person. During the four days I spent with his team, watching as they filmed his TV Special in Macau, I was exposed to a different level of magic and I started to rethink my goals.

I wish I could elaborate further, but it's not something I am ready to share just yet. I must thank Cyril though; I feel my perception has evolved more in those four days than it has in the past four years!

As a consolation, I still perform card tricks and flourishes and I still encourage you guys to keep learning! I think the DVDs below are great material and is close to the style of trick that you've seen me doing on YouTube. I will update the list once in a while since I don't think I will be making anymore videos, or at least not in the near future.

• 7 More Secrets by J. C. Wagner
• Aaron Fisher Speaks by Aaron Fisher
• Andthensome by Dan and Dave Buck
• Avenue by Dorian Rhodell
• Classic Magic of Michael Vincent
• George McBride The DVD
• Impossible Card Magic by Ray Kosby
• Mystique by Daniel Madison
• Past Midnight by Benjamin Earl
• Philosopher's Stone by Zenneth Kok
• Second Storm by John Guastaferro
• Session 2007 by Alakazam
• Simply Sydney by Syd Segal
• Small Miracles by Helder Guimaraes
• Surfaced by Chad Nelson
• Talk About Tricks by Joshua Jay
• Totally Out of Control by Chris Kenner
• Trilogy by Dan and Dave Buck
• True Astonishments by Paul Harris
• Unreal Work by Paul Wilson and Jason England
• Yannick Chretien by Jean-Luc Bertrand and David Stone

and so on... You get the idea. For those who would like to improve their showmanship, here are some of the books I've read and I'd recommend 100%. They also address other areas of magic which you'll find interesting.

• 3510 by Luke Jermay
• Beyond Deception by Tobias Beckwith
• Beyond Secrets by Jay Sankey
• Close Up: The Real Secrets of Magic by David Stone
• Designing Miracles by Darwin Ortiz
• Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber
• Mysterious Stranger by David Blaine
• Restaurant Magic Reader by Jim Sisti
• Restaurant Worker's Handbook by Jim Pace and Jerry Macgregor
• Scripting Magic by Pete McCabe
• Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz
• Transformations by Larry Hass

and so on... Again, you get the idea. I guess that's all I can think of for the time being I wish you all the very best!

Magically yours,
Jeff @ www.jeffteo.com