Argentina - The Latin Influence on My Magic

As a professional Magician, the Latin influence of my work began when I first saw Slydini on television.

This was a life changing moment - 1978 would be the year my life took a dramatic turn.

The image above was taken in 1982 in Slydini’s studio of magic. It is relevant to this post because he was Italian and lived in Argentina during the 1920s.

He eventually settled in New York where I studied with him.

Magic in Argentina flourished during the pre war years because of Fu Manchu aka David Bamberg, the Son on Okito.

Fu Manchu is regarded highly in South America because those who saw his show would say he was the greatest illusionist they had ever seen. He was as famous as David Copperfield is today.

Fu Manchu would inspire many, one man in particular would be Rene Lavand.

Rene saw FunManchu as a young boy and his life was changed forever in more ways than one.

Rene and Slydini are my heroes.

I was thrilled to visit Argentina because Rene was born here in the town of a Tandil. He saw Fu Manchu as a boy and would become great friends with him. Rene would go on to become one of the greatest Sleight of Hand Artist the world has ever seen.

On my first day/night in Buenos Aries, I was taken to see two wonderful magicians; Roberto Mansilla and Guillermo Del Castillo.

Roberto and Guillermo put on a public show featuring elegantly crafted close up magic.

It was delightful.

These two fine gentlemen do their county proud because they both teach the younger generation coming up.

The magic in Argentina has flourished over the years because Juan Tamariz has had a strong influence in this country because of the Spanish School of thought.

This was a perfect way to end my first day.

The following morning, I was up early for a trip to Uruguay.

Stay tuned.