Jeff McBride
Encyclopedia
Jeff McBride (born September 11, 1959) is an American
magician
from Monticello New York. He is known for his sleight of hand
skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards
, coins
, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki
, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring
. In addition, he is noted for his contributions to Bizarre magic
.
. He established the "McBride Magic and Mystery School" to teach the art of stage magic. Mcbride's Magic & Mystery School is world renowned and is recognized as the foremost magical teaching institution available today . Eugene Burger
is the Dean of the School. Guest faculty have included Teller
, Lance Burton
, Johnny Thompson
and other magicians from all over the world . Magnus was a star performer for years in Caesars Palace
's Magical Empire. He created and performed at the World Magic Festival at Brushwood Folklore Center
in Sherman, New York
in 1993 and 1994. He performs worldwide, and has produced several instructional books and videos on the subjects of coin and card manipulation, and has presented lectures on magic and theater for such groups as the Smithsonian Institution
, the Society of American Magicians
, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians
.
in the 1994 episode "Equilibrium", in the role of Joran Belar. He was featured in a one-hour documentary entitled A Magickal Life: Jeff McBride, produced and broadcasted by Canada's VisionTV, as an episode of their series Enigma True-Life Stories in January 2006. The documentary soundtrack featured music by Vegas Vortex event production collaborators Zingaia
and Gary Stadler
, as well as Jeff McBride's wife (married 2001) and partner, Abbi Spinner.
McBride has appeared twice on Criss Angel
's show MindFreak. He was one of the celebrity judges on the 2008 reality celebrity-magic show Celebracadabra
, produced by VH-1.
movement and he has organized events based on his research into "Alchemical Fire Rituals", such as Mysterium and Fires Rising.
He has been instrumental in the development of the eclectic NeoPagan organization in Las Vegas known as the Vegas Vortex, which describes itself as a "thriving magical community, dedicated to creating events which celebrate and educate in the sacred arts of magic, theater, music and dance." He has appeared as a speaker, performer, and ritual leader at several NeoPagan festivals and events.
McBride has set several records in the Guinness World Records
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
magician
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
from Monticello New York. He is known for his sleight of hand
Sleight of hand
Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....
skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards
Card manipulation
Card magic is the branch of conjuring that deals with creating magical effects using a deck of playing cards. Card magic is commonplace in magical performances, especially in close up magic or parlor magic and street magic. Some of the most recognized names in this field include John Scarne, Juan...
, coins
Coin manipulation
Coin manipulation is the art of manipulating coins in skillful flourishes, usually on or around the hands. Although not always considered coin magic, the tricks are sometimes used in magic shows. The difficulty of the trick ranges greatly, from some that take a few minutes to accomplish, to much...
, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring
Conjuration
Conjuration is used in many video games, mainly RPGs, where it is usually referred to as summoning.* A notable example is the Final Fantasy franchise which incorporates summoning of monsters to fight alongside the characters....
. In addition, he is noted for his contributions to Bizarre magic
Bizarre magic
Bizarre Magic, or Bizarre Magick, is a branch of stage magic, or conjuring, like stage illusions, sleight of hand, or children's magic. The major difference is that bizarre magic uses storytelling and word play to a much greater degree, and less emphasis is placed on the manual dexterity of the...
.
Magician
McBride is based in Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. He established the "McBride Magic and Mystery School" to teach the art of stage magic. Mcbride's Magic & Mystery School is world renowned and is recognized as the foremost magical teaching institution available today . Eugene Burger
Eugene Burger
Eugene Burger is an American magician. He was born in 1939 and is based in Chicago Illinois. He is reputed for his close-up skills and his work in mentalism and bizarre magic.He is also a philosopher and a historian of religion...
is the Dean of the School. Guest faculty have included Teller
Teller
Teller may refer to:* Teller * Teller , of Penn & Teller* Bank teller** Automated teller machine* Teller * Teller, Alaska* Teller County, Colorado* Teller Amendment* Teller mine...
, Lance Burton
Lance Burton
Lance Burton is a stage illusionist. He has appeared on numerous television programs, and also performed for Queen Elizabeth and President Ronald Reagan...
, Johnny Thompson
Johnny Thompson
Johnny Thompson is a Polish-American Las Vegas illusionist who performs under the stage name The Great Tomsoni with his wife, Pamela Hayes. They have a comedic slapstick act with the well-dressed Thompson and his gum-popping assistant, Pam, performing illusions while enduring a series of mishaps...
and other magicians from all over the world . Magnus was a star performer for years in Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, an unincorporated township in Clark County, Nevada, United States in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Caesars Palace is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp....
's Magical Empire. He created and performed at the World Magic Festival at Brushwood Folklore Center
Brushwood Folklore Center
Brushwood Folklore Center L.L.C. is a family-operated spiritual center that runs events such as festivals, concerts and seminars, and hosts such events held by other organizations. It is a campground which accepts day passes, night passes, and seasonal camping sites. The facility is located in...
in Sherman, New York
Sherman, New York
Sherman, New York is the name of two places in Chautauqua County, New York, USA:* Sherman , New York* Sherman , New York, a village in the northern part of the town...
in 1993 and 1994. He performs worldwide, and has produced several instructional books and videos on the subjects of coin and card manipulation, and has presented lectures on magic and theater for such groups as the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, the Society of American Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians is the world's largest organization for professional and amateur magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St...
.
Television
McBride has made numerous television and documentary appearances, including one as a guest star on Star Trek: Deep Space NineStar Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
in the 1994 episode "Equilibrium", in the role of Joran Belar. He was featured in a one-hour documentary entitled A Magickal Life: Jeff McBride, produced and broadcasted by Canada's VisionTV, as an episode of their series Enigma True-Life Stories in January 2006. The documentary soundtrack featured music by Vegas Vortex event production collaborators Zingaia
Zingaia
Zingaia is a musical group in the genres of contemporary World Music, New Age music and Ethnic electronica. They have released three albums and have appeared on six compilations, including the Billboard charting album Buddha-Lounge 3....
and Gary Stadler
Gary Stadler
Gary Stadler is an American New Age pianist, composer, songwriter and producer, specializing in contemporary Celtic-influenced themes and atmospheres. Stadler's six albums generally focus on imaginative concepts loosely based in Celtic mythology, especially stories of the realm of Faerie...
, as well as Jeff McBride's wife (married 2001) and partner, Abbi Spinner.
McBride has appeared twice on Criss Angel
Criss Angel
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos , better known by the stage name Criss Angel, is an American illusionist, writer, director, musician, and actor...
's show MindFreak. He was one of the celebrity judges on the 2008 reality celebrity-magic show Celebracadabra
Celebracadabra
Celebracadabra is an American reality television series on VH1 that premiered on April 27, 2008. The series involves celebrities attempting to learn and perform magic. Magician/actor Jonathan Levit serves as the host. On Thursday June 12, 2008 C...
, produced by VH-1.
Neo-Pagan Movement activities
McBride is active in the American NeoPaganNeopaganism
Neopaganism is an umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of modern religious movements, particularly those influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various pagan beliefs of pre-modern Europe...
movement and he has organized events based on his research into "Alchemical Fire Rituals", such as Mysterium and Fires Rising.
He has been instrumental in the development of the eclectic NeoPagan organization in Las Vegas known as the Vegas Vortex, which describes itself as a "thriving magical community, dedicated to creating events which celebrate and educate in the sacred arts of magic, theater, music and dance." He has appeared as a speaker, performer, and ritual leader at several NeoPagan festivals and events.
Awards
McBride has won several awards, including recognition by the Academy of Magical Arts, the Society of American Magicians, and the International Grand Prix of Magic as "Magician of the Year." In 2008, he won The Magic Woods Award for Best Magician. and was also named "Lecturer of the Year" by the Academy of Magical Arts (at the Magic Castle).McBride has set several records in the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
.
Discography
- Songs From the Center of the Sacred Circle – Jeff "Magnus" McBride & Abbi Spinner (ACEAssociation for Consciousness ExplorationThe Association for Consciousness Exploration LLC is an American organization based in Northeastern Ohio which produces events, books, and recorded media in the fields of "magic, mind-sciences, alternative lifestyles, comparative religion/spirituality, entertainment, holistic healing, and related...
/LlewellynLlewellyn WorldwideLlewellyn Worldwide is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Llewellyn's mission is to "serve the trade and consumers worldwide with options and tools for exploring new worlds of mind & spirit, thereby aiding in the quests of expanded human potential,...
Collection) - Dancers of Twilight – ZingaiaZingaiaZingaia is a musical group in the genres of contemporary World Music, New Age music and Ethnic electronica. They have released three albums and have appeared on six compilations, including the Billboard charting album Buddha-Lounge 3....
(2000) Sequoia Records - Soles on Earth – ZingaiaZingaiaZingaia is a musical group in the genres of contemporary World Music, New Age music and Ethnic electronica. They have released three albums and have appeared on six compilations, including the Billboard charting album Buddha-Lounge 3....
(2004) Sequoia Records