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foolsnobody Special user Buffalo, NY 843 Posts |
While I was rummaging through some boxes I came across some booklets I bought a long time ago by Jose de la Torre: Magicana of Havana in New York, Real Magic, and Ascanio's World of Knives.
In am interested in trying the Professor's Nightmare routine in the first of these books but frankly I cannot follow either the diagrams or the description. Are any of you old timers familiar with that routine and can you tell me anything about it? I also liked the simple Fred Kaps knife routine in Ascanio's World of Knives. Finally, did any of you know Jose, ever watch him perform, and do you have any anecdotes to share? |
RJ Hunt Elite user Lakeland, FL 466 Posts |
Yes I knew Jose and saw him perform. He was amazing. He came to the Magic Castel back in the early 80's and did a lecture; I still have the lecture notes and various photos with him and me when I was just 14. As for the Prof Nightmare I will have to go back and look it up. I am sure at one point I may have studied it. I was and still am a huge fan of his tribute to Ascanio, I was just looking in the Knife Book a few weeks ago. I use is color fusing routine all the time and the smash climax he marketed back in the 70's. One thing I wish Jose would have put into print was more of his coin work. He was one of the only men in the world who did a 10 coin roll out with both hands. Jose was one of the best sleight-of-hand magicians to ever live. He also did a lot of cigar magic. In fact he taught Dai Vernon most of his cigar stuff back in the 50's. It's a shame that most of Jose's magic was lost when he passed. But maybe that's the way he wanted it. He was a magician for magician's and he fooled a lot of them back in the day. I would strongly urge you to read the books you have, Real Magic has some very, very good material. I know I am going to continue studying his magic and keep his memory alive, because he had a big impact on my young magic career. Good Luck and keep in touch and I will take a look at the prof nightmare and see if I remember or at least learn it again.
Later & Out RJ |
snushy Veteran user 338 Posts |
I also knew Jose way back in the early to mid 70's. I saw him perform at a convention in Manhattan, and my father and I struck up a conversation with him. He very patiently showed me the real work on his unreal color change (described in "Real Magic.") I was around 12 or 13 at the time.
My dad and I went out to Jose's place in New Jersey some time later and spent a very magical few hours with him. I got a set of his color changing knives including the smash climax, and his Ascanio knife book. Wish I could find those tiny knives again! Jose was a fantastic magician and a kind and generous mentor. I didn't know he had passed away. If it's true, magic has lost a giant. Best, Larry Zaslow
YOU KNOW WHY YOU DON'T SEE? BECAUSE YOU DON'T WATCH! - SLYDINI
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foolsnobody Special user Buffalo, NY 843 Posts |
Thank you so much guys. I had a "feeling" he was in that league although I knew nothing about him and never saw him. God bless you RJ for doing what you can to keep his memory alive. I will definitely explore those books more extensively.
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Richard Hatch Regular user Logan Utah 127 Posts |
RJ, are you certain Jose de la Torre has died? I was under the impression that he was still living, but in Spain now. He is an achitect by profession, originally from Cuba. Here is a link (in Spanish) showing he was to give a lecture there last April:
http://www.usal.es/gabinete/comunicacion/noticia.jsp?id=1831 Meir Yedid purchased the rights to several of his books and tricks and markets them here: http://www.mymagic.com/delatorre.htm Meir can probably provide an update on his current status.
Richard Hatch
www.HatchAcademy.com |
RJ Hunt Elite user Lakeland, FL 466 Posts |
Richard,Yeah I was told he passed away, but it maybe wrong, If he is still around then I am taking a trip to Spain. Because I would love to see him again and applogize for thinking he was no longer with us. I just sent an email to Meir asking. If he is still kicking then my applogies to all of you. It's make sence if he was still alive because he has so much more magic to offer. And that would explain the lack of material published.
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snushy Veteran user 338 Posts |
Man, do I hope you're right, Richard!
YOU KNOW WHY YOU DON'T SEE? BECAUSE YOU DON'T WATCH! - SLYDINI
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