About St Louis Magician, Jeff Lefton

I don’t generally like to talk about myself. But that's what you're supposed to do on about pages, so thanks for suffering through this!  I have included some stories I think you'll find amusing about all the coins I've lost practicing, my rocky start as a St Louis magician, etc.

The rest of the site is about more important things—your event and how we can help you make it optimally successful.

My Philosophy: Entertainment First

Have you ever sat through a procession of boring card tricks? I have and it put me to sleep!

My performing philosophy is that first and foremost, my goal is to entertain. Comedy and audience interaction are prevalent throughout my magic. Of course, I strive to do strong magic that will wow the crowd. I’ve practiced many years on my sleight of hand. Do you have any idea how many quarters and half dollars I’ve lost in movie theaters practicing my coin roll and various palms!

My college roommate used to say that instead of rooming with me, he should have been the one that came after me, as then he would have found a lot of coins under the bed, in the floor vents, etc.

So if you want a magician who is going to do 1 card trick after another that drones on forever, I am not your person. However, if you want a magician who is going to entertain your guests—get them laughing, having fun, and amazed with a childlike sense of wonder—I would be a good choice for your event.

Brief Magical Bio

Presto the Magician

My dad travelled a lot for work when I was growing up. One week he was working in New York and he ran into W. Clement Stone (known for the power of positive thinking) in the hotel gift shop. Stone told my dad that every kid should have a magic set. There was one for sale in the shop, so my dad brought it home for me. I was 8 years old and I loved it! Most kids are smart enough to put it away at some point. I never was, and love entertaining people with magic still today.

I started performing at kids birthday parties when I was 12. My mom would drive me around on weekends. "Presto the Magician" was my magic name.

My career as a St Louis magician didn't start out very well. In my first paid show (which I charged $6 for, by the way), I was letting the kids make their own goodie bags from prizes I had brought. The children were supposed to get 8 prizes each--but one child filled his bag so full that he could hardly lift it! Fortunately an observant parent pointed this out, otherwise I'd have been cleaned out right from the start!

Later Years