RICKY JAY
JEFF MCBRIDE TRIBUTE
Ricky JAY was the first magician I ever
witnessed performing close-up magic with
a theatrical script. Many of you remember
his appearance on the Doug Henning
special performing his masterful version
of “The Exclusive Coterie", from THE EXPERT AT
THE CARD TABLE.
Ricky blew my mind ...I had never seen
“magic combined with incredible words."
Sure I had heard magician’s “patter”, but,
when Ricky launched into that dynamic
theatrical script, it totally changed how I
perceived magic and what it could be on
the theatrical level.
Oh yeah and that “ 4 Ace pop out move” for
his unique version of the McDonald’s aces-
this totally rocked my world. I became
Obsessed with that routine with that
routine.
Honestly, Ricky was the first magician I
ever TRIED to copy...But I guess one must
imitate before you can innovate… I had no
idea what I was saying when I was 14 years
old ... I attempted to rattle off what he
was saying, yet his “incredible words” were
beyond my skill to memorize or even to
comprehend. BUT something inside of me
shifted when I watched his performances.
I knew that close-up magic could be a
theatrical art!
other I was planning to run through a new
routine that I was to perform the next day on
the Sally Jessy Raphael TV show.
Sally Jessy was the "The Ellen Show of the
80's"
(Ricky was the star headliner on our episode
TV show… I was on as the up-and-coming
guy.)
OK..Now lets go back to the late night magic
session… Ricky performed first.
He showed me routine he called “ Lone
Wolf." It was an amazing story- telling
magic piece. Ricky's erudite performance
seamlessly blended his esoteric skills in
Japanese calligraphy, Easterrn mythology,
fine card magic and pop film references… His
Magnificent and encyclopedic intelligence,
combined with his wonderful mad skill...
Just a few characteristics that made him the
superstar of theatrical close-up magic.
Now it was my turn to perform something
new for Ricky.
I showed Ricky a very early version of my
“Time and change” routine from my current
Theatre show. (sort of a salt pour- into a
snowstorm- routine to eletronica music)
Ricky watched my performance with quiet
enthusiasm...and then I sensed him starting
to wither and squirm and bit in his chair... UH
oh! Here it comes!
After my initial performance, Ricky looked
at me with his steely eyes, and said, “Jeff,
do you feel in your heart that this piece is
ready for TV?”
I knew in my heart that what he was really
saying was “Jeff do NOT perform this
piece tomorrow on television... it is NOT
ready!”
It was the gift of “tough love” from an
expert. Given at a crucial moment in my
life”
Yes...NEVER perform a piece before it is
ready for TV… From that moment on, I've
always searched out experts to give me
advice and feedback on anything I would
put on TV… Ricky taught me that hard, yet
necessary, lesson.
And that was the end of it! I dumped
that piece and Ricky spent the rest of the
evening coaching me..he helped me work
up a simple variation of the performance
piece for the next day…
Magician, actor, mentor, and friend…
The world will never have another one like
you my friend.
Bon voyage,
Jeff McBride
Ricky certainly brought magic to a high
level of artistry… I was very fortunate
to perform with him and know him as
a friend... and yes, Ricky was the first
magician I ever saw throw cards..HE MADE
CARD THROWING AN ART!
YES.. that was ALSO a huge game changer
for my life!
The most amazing part of our relationship
was his no bullshit , honest,critical
feedback and professional eye that he
could give to my new magic performance
pieces.
I Remember
Oh I do remember !!!
1989, In a hotel in St Louis. A very late night
magic session in with Ricky. We took turns
performing our new routines for each
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