The masters of today

Michael Ammar

Michael Ammar is from the small, coal-mining community of Logan, West Virginia. He was born there on June 25, 1956, the youngest of four children. His family operated numerous businesses, including Magic Mart (still in operation today), hotels and several Bonanza Steak Houses. It was assumed Michael would take over in the family business after receiving his business degree from WVU in 1978. But he wanted to follow his passion for magic. He swore he'd make it work.

Coming from a state that did not have one magic shop, the odds were stacked against him. It all started while he was reading a comic book and noticed an ad: "500 tricks for 25 cents!". He sent in his quarter and received a catalog in the mail. He began ordering tricks and practicing obsessively. Before long, he had a full magic show, complete with a powder-blue tux, doves and a teenage assistant. The local community, as small as it was, supported his efforts and booked him for local shows for birthdays, schools and group meetings. He found it was easier to get a new act than a new audience, which accounts for his large repertoire today.

While in college at West Virginia University, Michael developed a friendship with a few others involved in magic. He often performed shows in the University hangout, "The Blue Tick Tavern".

In 1983, after much dedication and hard work, Michael entered the world magic competition "F.I.S.M." held every three years in Europe. He traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland and competed against magicians from 22 different countries. He won the Gold Medal for Close-Up Magic, only the second American in the 45 year history of the event to do so.

He began to publish his ideas in the early 80's. He published such titles as "Encore I", "Encore II", "Encore III", "Success & Magic", "Brainstorm in the Bahamas" and the ever popular, "The Topit Book". After FISM, he began to visit the West Coast and became close friends with his mentor, Dai Vernon, from whom he learned much. Vernon, or "The Professor" as he became known to the magic field, graciously wrote the introduction to The Topit Book.

It was during the 1980's Michael performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and the "It's Magic" show. He was seen by the talent scout for "The Tonight Show" in 1985, and was featured by Johnny Carson (himself a magician) on that show twice. He performed magic on "The Merv Griffin Show" ten times, and from there began to receive more recognition for his talent and appear regularly on television shows.

In 1990, Michael married Hannah in Austin, Texas. Hannah comes from one of the oldest families in magic, the "Willard the Wizard" clan, with over five generations of magicians! She is an integral part of Michael Ammar Magic, and if you've ever met Michael, you've probably met Hannah too.

On November 28, 2000, Michael and Hannah became proud parents with the birth of their first child, daughter Savannah Grace.

Since then, Michael has gone on to publish over 40 video titles, dozens of magazines and books, receive an unprecedented number of honors and awards, travel and tour over 38 countries, and maintain a full schedule of performing and speaking engagements for corporations and celebrities all over the world. In 1999, Magic Magazine named Michael as one of the "100 Most Influential Magicians of the Century".

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Daryl

Since his first professional performance in 1968, DARYL has achieved extraordinary success in Magic. Using awards as a measurement, DARYL earned the gold medal at the World Congress of Magic (the "Olympics" of Magic), in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982, and 6 Academy Awards from the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California (no one has earned more). Twice, his peers voted him Close-Up Magician of the Year (1980 and 1981), twice as Parlour Magician of the Year (1986 and 1987), and twice as Lecturer of the Year (1988 and 1992). The list goes on and on with victories in every major competition he has entered.

DARYL truly enjoys what he does and his enthusiasm is obvious in his performances. He has performed many of his mysteries literally thousands of times, but his fresh performing style creates the illusion that the magic is happening for the very first time. This, combined with his ability to create magical effects and his willingness to teach others, has helped to create his well-earned world-wide reputation.

DARYL's first exposure to Magic was in 1962, when a friend of the family gave him a Svengali deck as a gift. He became fascinated with what could be done with this special trick deck of cards and his interest in Magic soon turned into a true love of the art form. After years of performing Magic for family, friends, local organizations and school shows, DARYL studied street performing in San Francisco. He performed street Magic and passed the hat by day then put on his tuxedo and performed elegant close-up shows for the patrons at the Magic Cellar nightclub in the evenings. The combination of these two totally different performing styles provided an incredible learning experience. He continued this hectic schedule for several years.

In 1973, at 18 years old, he performed his first industrial trade show for Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation. The company was thrilled with his performance and amazed at the custom magical effects he created to offer clients as a souvenir of the experience. They sent him all over the country to promote their products and services. Since then, DARYL has performed for a large number of major corporations around the world. As his success grew, so did requests for his performing and lecturing. DARYL has traveled the world several times, performing for magicians and lay audiences. In response to requests for information on his effects, he created a set of lecture notes that were sold at his lectures. This became the first item in what is now an extensive catalog of custom Magic effects that DARYL offers through a world-wide distribution network.

In addition to his other activities, DARYL has appeared at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., NBC's Today Show, HBO's Magical Moments with Dick Cavett, done several television commercials, and performed for literally thousands of satisfied clients all over the world. When asked about his favorite performing venue, DARYL says, "My favorite place to perform has always been the Magic Castle. Having the pleasure of working in an elegant environment for people who really know Magic is always a fantastic experience. I also enjoyed opening Caesars Magical Empire in Las Vegas. Being booked to open the facility was truly an honor."

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Jeff McBride

Jeff McBride, named Magician of the Year by The Magic Castle in Los Angeles, is recognized as a foremost innovator in contemporary magic. New York Times columnist Glenn Collins writes, "What Mr. McBride gives his audiences is a mesmerizing performance...a magic show that is at once a celebration of mystery and a struggle to understand powerful forces."

McBride most recently headlined at Caesars Magical Empire in Las Vegas, where he was voted critics' choice as Best Magician in Las Vegas in the Review-Journal annual poll. He is featured on the PAX TV series, "Masters of Illusion." Earlier this year, McBride previewed his new theatrical show, The Forbidden Secret of Magic with Eugene Burger and Abbi Spinner at Magicopolis magic theatre in Los Angeles, and presented his new grand illusion spectacular, Jeff McBride - Abracadazzle!, to standing ovations at the Claridge in Atlantic City.

On television, McBride's spectacular "Burned Alive!" escape highlighted the ABC TV special "Champions of Magic." He is also featured on the current PBS documentary, "The Art of Magic," and on all three episodes of "The Mysteries of Magic" on The Learning Channel. His show McBride - Magic! was the featured attraction at the Monte Carlo Festival of Magic. This followed a featured appearance on "World's Greatest Magicians" for NBC. Earlier that season McBride guest starred on TV's Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Joran, a role created especially for him.

McBride's signature fusion of mask, myth, drama and illusion reflects his lifelong study of magic's multi-cultural roots. His first full-evening show, Mask, Myth & Magic, won acclaim Off-Broadway and on national tour, as well as at arts festivals in Barcelona (for the 1992 Olympics), London, Hong Kong, China, and Bangkok. Prior to going solo, McBride was the opening act of choice for Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and other top stars. He has been profiled in Elle Magazine, Town & Country, Harpers and dozens of other publications worldwide.

In addition to his work as a performer, McBride is a much sought-after lecturer and workshop leader for such diverse groups as The Smithsonian, The Disney Institute, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Center for Symbolic Studies and others. McBride is founder of The Mystery School, a unique experiential retreat for magicians (and subject of an acclaimed 1994 CBC-TV documentary hosted by Arthur Kent), and creator and co-founder of the WorldMagics™ Festivals, multi-cultural celebrations of the environment, or "enviro-magic." His video-taped series teaching "The Art of Card Manipulation" is among the best selling magic teaching videos of all time. With Eugene Burger, he has created and teaches regular sessions of "McBride's Master Class" at his home studio in Las Vegas, as well as semi-annual retreats for the further exploration of the magical arts.

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