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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I’ve always had a great deal of respect for Ricky Jay’s many talents. This article is no exception.
Has anyone ever seen him booked at a magician’s convention or seen him at a club? Has anyone seen his show? Is he approachable? Just curious to see what type of person he is and what kind man you have to be to reach such a high level of success and respect.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts |
That is a wonderful piece of writing.
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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
Ken I've seen On the Stem and 52 Assistants, both excellent. He is approachable as far as it goes. Very opinionated. His dislike of kids and magicians who aren't original is well known. There was once a great profile on him in New Yorker magazine.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-06-02 07:08, Ken Northridge wrote: It is my understanding that he is very old school in his beliefs and that the secrets of magic should be passed from teacher to his student. It is unlikely that he would have much interest in attending a magic convention or go on a lecture tour. Pity, as I too would very much like to meet the man. But I respect and understand his beliefs.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
I found my copy of the Jay New Yorker article which I just re-read. Unfortunately I don't have a date or link, but the article is by Mark Singer. When asked why he doesn't do lectures Ricky said "...because I'm still learning. Meanwhile you've got people who have been doing magic for ten months and they are actually out there pontificating. It's absurd." The same article makes a point of saying he won't appear at magic conventions and doesn't perform for magicians.
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Ricky can be standoff-ish if he doesn't know you. I had the pleasure of seating on a living room floor in Will Rock's daughter's apartment, after a Magic Collector's weekend honoring Will, with Ricky and entertaining the party attendees. We were doing sort of "Beat that!" magic. Jay Marshall was producing his shoes from all sorts of places and Ricky and I were doing card stuff. Ricky can still be observed at MCA weekends and is generally an unannounced attendee.
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
Stanyon I've met Jay a few times over the years, he was the most gregarious at an after show gala for 52 Assistants, but I have to agree with your standoff-ish observation. Stanyon I'm curious, what year was your "beat that!" in Will Rock's daughter's apartment?
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-06-02 15:10, noble1 wrote: That would have been the 1984 MCA weekend. I originally met Will in 1982, through his daughter Gretchen who was a business accquaintance of my wife. Also met Norm Nielsen through his niece, who also worked with my wife. I'm not even going to talk about how I spent the evening with Harry Blackstone Jr., again through my wife! I probably should write a book. Cheers!
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Ricky and I used to travel to England a bit, and shared posters, etc. He attends the semi annual Conference of Magical History.
Ricky prefers to keep his secrets to himself. He doesn't 'hang out' with magicians, but more with people in the acting and collecting area. He works hard and reads and reads and reads.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Mick Ayres Special user Hilton Head Island 998 Posts |
I hold Ricky Jay and his convictions about conjuring in high regard. That article was equally thought-provoking and eloquent...what a delight to read it.
THE FIVE OBLIGATIONS OF CONJURING: Study. Practice. Script. Rehearse. Perform. Drop one and you're done.
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Coincides nicely with his wnoderful contributions to "The Brothers Bloom", which is a fun ride of a movie.
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Steve Cook Regular user 121 Posts |
Ricky has generally adhered to the maxim of his late friend, Ken Brooke: "Never mix with magicians... they'll have you doing the WRONG tricks in the WRONG way".
He has retained his mystique by detaching himself from magical conventionality. Ricky has perfected the art of 'selling himself'. When he no longer has anything unique or original to say, I doubt you'll hear from him again! |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-06-02 00:55, noble1 wrote: Have a look at a story called "The Last Magician" by Bruce Elliot - written back in the 1950s. The insatiable maw of
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Did you hear the latest? » » Gtreat Op Ed in NY Times by Ricky Jay (0 Likes) |
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