About Jay
Jay Sankey is a true magicianâs magician and is widely considered to be one of the most original thinkers and finest magic teachers alive today. He is also one of the most prolific magic creators on the planet.
While many of his creative contemporaries have a few dozen original routines to their credit, at last count Jay has created well over 1500 original magic effects.
Jayâs uncanny gift as magic inventor was evident from an early age. For his 11th birthday he was given a toy magic set, and by the age of 18 he was traveling the world lecturing on the subject of sleight-of-hand magic to both professional and amateur magicians.
Somehow, Jay still made the time to graduate from the University of Toronto where he studied psychology, philosophy and film. As a performer, Jay has mystified audiences at private parties, trade shows, banquets and corporate functions including work for Coca Cola, Honda, Chrysler, Panasonic, McDonaldâs and Club Med.
Jay has also worked as a consultant for many of the worldâs most famous magicians including David Blaine, Criss Angel, Keith Barry and David Copperfield.
In conjunction with the Ottawa-based production company GAPC, Jay and his company Sankey Magic created the magic-based childrenâs television series SPELLZ. Jay also hosted the show for two seasons, and starred in all 26 half-hour episodes.
As a stand-up comic, Jay headlined comedy clubs for years and performed at the numerous festivals including two appearances at the prestigious JUST FOR LAUGHS comedy festival in Montreal. And as a monologist Jay has mounted several live one-man shows including CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE and BORROWED BREATH.
CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE was later produced for television by Sleeping Giant Productions and starring Jay it aired on BRAVO!
Jayâs experiences as both a professional comic and a monologist inspired him to write ZEN AND THE ART OF THE MONOLOGUE as well as a book that is considered to be one of the modern bibles of stand-up comedy ZEN AND THE ART OF STAND-UP COMEDY. Both books are published by Routledge in New York.
"Jay Sankey has one of the biggest followings in the world of magic. He is still fresh and original after many years at the top"âMAGICSEEN UK
"It is difficult to find a single magician on the planet who has not been influenced in some way by Jay's magic or showmanship."-RICHARD SANDERS
"Jay's magic is as good as the magic anyone has ever created."-PAUL HARRIS
"Jay has been an inspiration to an entire generation of magicians
including myself."-WAYNE HOUCHIN
"Jay is one of the most creative magicians alive today."âGENII MAGAZINE
"Jay Sankey has established a strong reputation as one of the top creators of innovative close-up magic."-MAX MAVEN
"Jay will go down in history as one of the funniest, ground breaking, and most creative magicians of all time."-NATHAN KRANZO