For over 15 years Paul Gertner and I have been combining Jazz and Magic in performances and corporate presentations. The latest iteration of the presentation took place at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA, June 14-20, 2010.
Over the years we have explored many connections between Jazz and Magic. In jazz we learn standards like “Take the A Train” and in magic we learn the classics such as the “cups and balls routine.” The great magicians are master improvisers just like the master jazz musicians, and both art forms focus greatly on interaction with their audiences. Also, magicians build there routines based on the tremendous legacy of previous magicians just as we do in jazz. Most importantly, both Jazz and Magic have a deep respect for the masters that have paved the way for what we do now.
See a version of JazzMagic we did for a recent TEDx Conference in Pittsburgh:
This video is fantastic! Paul blows the audience away and the combination with Jazz makes it like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Break a leg at the Magic Castle.
Really enjoyed the parallels between jazz and magic.