Nope-- there are two Greg Wilson's.
Mark's son and another Greg Wilson that is a killer card man.

gunney

Some excellent individuals mentioned here, but I find it hard to believe Ray Kosby hasn't had one shout-out!

Ray's complexity and otherworldly skill has had more influence on me than anyone else in magic. I've only had his ICM video for just less than a month and I've gained more inspiration from it than any other video. Ray might not be a great performer, but the man's sleight-of-hand is beyond words.

Even with many videos and books in my collection, I have to say that his effects and methods are my favourite, bar none.

peace.

From the point of view of somebody who doesn't know how Guy Hollingworth's Twisting the Aces was done, let me just say that I would have _never_ suspected any gaffs. It looked totally natural. It just looked like he took out the four kings, fanned them facing toward him and voila . . . they turn around one by one.
Oh, and I can't believe I forgot Eugene Burger. I've never been able to catch him on TV, but the short clips I've seen of him on the internet impressed me to no end. He can make the simplest things seem so theatrical . . .

The underground legend--William Goodwin, truely a genius.

Guy Hollingworth's Twisting The Aces DOES NOT USE GAFFS! At least not the working shown on his "London Collection" video. I have done this effect with great success with a borrowed deck!

One of my favorite performers and card men of all time is Juan Tamariz. I think he's hilarious, and just has so many original ideas.

sstakoff, Guy Hollingworth's take on Twisting the Aces, featured on one of the World's Greatest Magic years ago, does use a clever gaff.

Back to the thread, Lennart Green in terms of incredible skills with deck of cards, Jerry Sadowitz for his skills and performance. Peter Duffie runs him a close 2nd.

Groovy

Derren Brown is a master of card magic. The biggest crime is he doesn't do it professionally now.

p.s. I'm sure most people know that GH's waving the aces can be done without gimmick (no change of kings to aces) or with his marketed gimmick (to give the kicker ending).

My votes go to Jay Sankey and Paul Harris. Also, a method I thought of for the kings to aces with Guy Hollingworth's Waving the Aces, besides his "Quartert" gimmick is to use his paperclip theory. check "Drawing Room Deceptions" for details.

When It comes to card magic, I have been blessed in having a very good friend named Steve Dobson whos card magic and technique is flawless, if you havent heard of him, sit up and listen boys you will, you will. Remember the scene in star wars where yoda whiped some serious booty and did so unexpectedly.
Steve is very unassuming, as soon as he gets the cards out prepare to loose you mind, you are better off just opening up your skull and putting your brain on a platter for him. He will devistate you.
Just wait when he strts to release his card magic and other items you will see a true Jedi at work.

Anyone ever heard of Justin Hanes?
He is one of my favorites....


Asher

I think I have the single most surprising card magician for you - Uri Geller! Yep, the old metal bender himself! A while back (it was the late 80's or early 90's), I happened to be visiting the Magic Castle on the same night as Uri Geller. He wasn't performing for the Castle, just visiting. He did some surprisingly good sleight-of-hand magic that night, and nothing you'd mistake for "psychic powers", either.

As for Shoot Ogawa - I agree. But I think that's unfair - he's the most amazing all-around magician! Darwin's club in Vegas is better for having him as a regular.

If you like Shoot, you'll like Armando Lucero as well. His coin and card work makes me wonder if he's just using real magic.

It was funny to see Brian Tudor's name on this list. He grew up learning in the same magic store I worked at - California Magic & Novelty.

Let's not forget Ricky Jay. His handling and presentation of card routines is flawless and astounding. I'd love to spend an afternoon w/ Ricky learning from him....

I think Tobias is on to something, when he cites Bill Malone. When considering these things I have to take in the whole package (well-rounded entertainer), which it appears, many have with their descriptions of Lennart Green.

To me Bill Malone is a standard to which all should aspire. There are plenty of card guys out there, whose ability with cards borders on the edge of space. They may be able to pinky-count 47 cards, 100% of the time, but cannot do so without giving an affect of frequent irregularity discomfort.

Performers like Bill Malone (and I will blindly presume Lennart green) never show the toil on their faces--their get-readys and preparatory moves are invisibly cloaked in legitimate entertainment.

So, with that standard, I submit:

Bill Malone
Gregory Wilson
Guy Hollingworth
Paul Gertner
Simon Lovell
David Regal
Ricky Jay (a monster of presenation)

A stellar group. An abbreviated list, but first to enter my mind.

--Ron

Folks-Let us not forget the man with his 52 assistants.......the uncomparable.........
unsurpassed Ricky Jay!

And I put a third vote in for Mr. Jay. Amazing. I would kill to learn from him.

I don't think Mr Jay would be willing to teach you if you killed someone.
As I've stated on another thread: If you've seen a guy named Bill Goodwin perform - all discussion on this topic would cease. I've only seen Mr Goodwin perform twice in person - at a couple of conventions in the early '90's - L.J. would cry out "Do a trick Billy!" Mr. Goodwin would come across the room and amaze the likes of D. Ortiz - M. Close - R. Klause and M. Skinner - with L.J. just smiling benignly in the background

Dave

For me, the very best guy is René Lavand.
I think many of you´ll agree (if you have seen his performance)
Regards!

I think GARY KURTZ is a monster of cardman, just have a look on his effect "force thought" and you'll see what I mean!!

Greg Wilson, Paul Harris, Bill Malone and of course David Regal-they're my favorites