What I Learned From Jamy Ian Swiss

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Before you read my blog you need to watch the video below if Jamy Ian Swiss on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

I really enjoyed Jamy’s spot on this show. Thanks to the Internet I was able to see it here in Japan. There are a few things that I really learned from this spot, and they are also the main reasons why I really enjoyed it. One of the reasons is that Jamy had a conversation with Craig. The whole performance is like a conversation with magic as the glue. He interacted well with Craig without any strange awkward feelings of trying to get back on “script”. He was able to go with what Craig said and worked it into his performance frame work and used it for the effect. This made it feel so real and at the moment, which make it very entertaining.  Another reason each of the effects he performed had a reason why it was next. When Craig asked him to do one more he had it ready and linked it with the previous effect by talking about the ways one can choose a card. I loved this premis and made sense for this set. Lastly his effects were perfect. The effects were simple to understand to Craig, the studio audience and on TV. They were powerful and enjoyable with out needless ramble.

So what did I take from this and what should we take from watching this as Magicians. Well we need to enjoy showing magic to our audience and engage in a conversation with them. Clearly Jamy enjoyed talking with Craig and the same with Craig. This then transferred to the live studio audience and to the TV audience. Magic allows us to interact with the audience and Jamy does this without any awkwardness as I mentioned. I feel motivated to create this same kind of feeling in my own shows. For me it really shows how magic should be performed, no ego, no showing off, but and entertaining experience of magic between the Magician and his audience. Well done Jamy you are truly one of the greats of our time.

Aaron


  • Mike Martin

    I believe you're absolutely on point as to how to present magic – without ego or showing off. Well, at least as far as we can tame the ego. I've been a professional magician for 23 years and I think a little ego is a necessary thing.

    The key is to always keep in mind that our job is to entertain … to take people away from their day to day problems for a brief period and give them a respite. To take their minds off their financial problems, their work stresses, their child's grades, and so on. It's a meditation of sorts.

    As an aside – it's interesting that you looked at Jamy as having no ego. It's to his credit that, along with being a superb magician, he's able to present a performing face that's jolly and courteous.

    The irony is that he's one of the most egotistical magicians in America. His bias against some fellow magi at Monday Night Magic in New York (not me) is reprehensible.

    I enjoy watching him and reading his articles and interviews but I can't abide being with him.