Jeff McBride (also known as Magnus) (born September 11, 1959) is an American magician. He is known for his sleight of hand skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards, coins, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring. In addition, he is noted for his contributions to Bizarre magic.

Magician

McBride is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He established the "McBride Magic and Mystery School to teach the art of stage magic. Magnus was a star performer for years in Caesars Palace's Magical Empire. He created and performed at the World Magic Festival at Brushwood Folklore Center in Sherman, New York in 1992 and 1993. He performs worldwide, and has produced several instructional books and videos on the subjects of coin and card manipulation, and has presented lectures on magic and theater for such groups as the Smithsonian Institution, the Society of American Magicians, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Television

McBride has made numerous television and documentary appearances, including one as a guest star on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the 1994 episode "Equilibrium", in the role of Joran Belar. He was featured in a one-hour documentary entitled A Magickal Life: Jeff McBride, produced and broadcasted by Canada's VisionTV, as an episode of their series Enigma True-Life Stories in January 2006. The documentary soundtrack featured music by Vegas Vortex event production collaborators Zingaia and Gary Stadler, as well as Jeff McBride's wife (married 2001) and partner, Abbi Spinner.

Neo-Pagan Movement activities

McBride is active in the American NeoPagan movement and he has organized events based on his research into "Alchemical Fire Circles", such as Mysterium and Fires Rising. He has been instrumental in the development of the eclectic NeoPagan organization in Las Vegas known as the Vegas Vortex, which describes itself as a "thriving magical community, dedicated to creating events which celebrate and educate in the sacred arts of magic, theater, music and dance." He has appeared as a speaker, performer, and ritual leader at several NeoPagan festivals and events.

Awards

McBride has won several awards, including recognition by the Academy of Magical Arts, the Society of American Magicians, and the International Grand Prix of Magic as "Magician of the Year." In 2008 he won The Magic Woods Award for Best Magician.

McBride has set several records in the Guiness World Records.

Discography

• Songs From the Center of the Sacred Circle - Jeff "Magnus" McBride & Abbi Spinner (ACE/Llewellyn Collection)
• Dancers of Twilight - Zingaia (2000) Sequoia Records
• Soles on Earth - Zingaia (2004) Sequoia Records

Notes

References

• Bond, Lawrence & Ellen Evert Hopman (1996) People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out (reissued as Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans & Witches Today in 2002 Destiny Books ISBN 0-89281-904-9) Interview.
• Cohen, Andy (2006) Follow the Other Hand: A Remarkable Fable That Will Energize Your Business, Profits, and Life. St. Martin's Press ISBN 0312357931, ISBN 978-0312357931
• Kett, Michael (2001) Applied Magic: A Beginner's Magic Book with Practical Applications for Therapists, Teachers, and Parents. Xlibris Corporation ISBN 0738838268, ISBN 978-0738838267
• Miller, Scott L. & David Morey (2004) The Underdog Advantage: Using the Power of Insurgent Strategy to Put Your Business on To. (Page 6) McGraw-Hill ISBN 0071439196, ISBN 978-0071439190
• Pike, Sarah (2001). Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves: Contemporary Pagans and the Search for Community. University of California Press ISBN 0-520-22030-7
• Zemke, Ron & Chip R. Bell (2003) Service Magic: The Art of Amazing Your Customers. (Page 19) Kaplan Business ISBN 0793164672, ISBN 978-0793164677

External links

• McBride's web site