Local magician finds niche in magic circuit

Many know him locally as Ted Brainard, but in the magic community, and around the world, others know him as Kozmo, the magician. This Owego native has been entertaining in the streets, locally, for much of his life; but a leap of faith, and a passion to do what he loves – magic – has led to some notoriety locally, regionally, and now globally. 

The February 2010 publication of Magic Magazine features Kozmo on the cover, and a feature that highlights his life and his travels, as well as his magic. Performing card, coin and cup tricks, Brainard learned to refine his trade by blending in comedy in later years. This perfect equation upped the ante for Brainard, and soon he was able to earn a living performing magic; a feat that many magicians are struggling to achieve.

And for Brainard, his success with magic has not only offered him an opportunity to do what he loves, it provides him some freedom.

“I did the streets for twenty years,” said Brainard in a recent interview. Fast forward to 2009, and Brainard was touring China doing shows – to include a performance on The Great Wall.

And currently back home in Owego, Brainard is now preparing for a lecture tour that will begin in the fall. The circuit will stop in 30 cities, from New York to San Francisco and back. 

Brainard is also working on a current project with Garrett Thomas, magician. They will be performing at various casinos and clubs.

According to Brainard, Garrett can do anything.

“He’s pretty serious, and I’m funny,” said Brainard, “So it works.”

Locally, area residents are watching Brainard’s success, but aren’t surprised.

“Holy Cow,” said resident Dave Ferris after Brainard performed a magic trick at a local restaurant. Ferris, who claims to be a man of few words, summed up his thoughts on Brainard’s skills.

Joe Shortino, on the other hand, warned that caution should be used around Brainard. “Remember, anything this guy tells you is all about illusion,” said Shortino.

“He’s a master of illusions, and I enjoy his shows around town,” Shortino added.

Taking a coin and making it appear on the floor after it was just seen in his hand, or performing the work of a mentalist by predicting a number that is kept safe in someone’s mind, Brainard has certainly developed his craft. 

But it is the story of how he transformed his life into “Kozmo” that is of most interest, and of which was shared by a humble Brainard during a recent interview. 

Brainard recalled that as a child he would perform card tricks. By the age of seven or eight, his father would take him to a tavern on Front Street, the old John T. Tavern, to play pool. It was there, that he would begin doing card tricks. 

Describing what he felt while performing magic, Brainard said it was joy.

“I love joy, and I love watching it in people; I love to make them laugh,” said Brainard.

As for inspiration to do magic, Brainard took it upon himself by reading books.

“Every kid wants to be a magician,” Brainard added, stating that many of the other children at his Washington Gladden School liked it.

But soon life’s responsibilities came with family and a need to support them, and Brainard found employment at Cornell University where he worked in a room where he monitored video machines. Although mundane, Brainard spent his time wisely – reading books about magic and then practicing what he was learning.

“I would work a little, and then do a little magic,” said Brainard.

Soon after, he started working in restaurants in Binghamton, N.Y., like Red Lobster and TGIF’s. There, he would do table magic. He also worked at the Silo Restaurant in Greene, N.Y. 

Brainard, who now had three children – Dan, Ryan and Marc, found he was making a pretty good living by working at Cornell University combined with moonlighting with his magic performances.

But something was unsettled for Brainard. He didn’t feel like he fit in at Cornell University, and his ultimate desire was to perform magic.

He had been reading about street magic, and in 1989, Brainard crashed the Ithaca Festival and was performing magic in the streets. 

With literally thousands in attendance at the festival, and after walking around throughout, Brainard made $145 in the first three hours – a modest wage back then.

It was at that point that Brainard knew this was something he could do. His late Uncle Donald built him a table for his street performances, and Brainard was soon off to the Italian Festival in Scranton, Pa. where he earned a couple of thousand dollars.

After that, he went to the Pumpkin Festival in Norwich, N.Y.; same results.

With just a taste of success, Brainard saved his vacation time from Cornell University and went to New Orleans. Success for this magician was sweet, and he soon acquired an apartment there and left his job at Cornell. 

Commuting back home for visits and living in New Orleans suited Brainard well, with his last year in New Orleans being the same year that Hurricane Katrina landed in 2005. The ending, for Brainard, was bittersweet.

But earning enough money, and tasting some success, Brainard soon began traveling in the magic circuit – going to places like Key West, Chicago and Vermont. Brainard, or Kozmo, was gaining notoriety in the magic community.

In 2009, Brainard toured through six cities in China to include Beijing and Shanghai. He even performed a show at The Great Wall.

Brainard, now a celebrity in the magic circuit, also met some celebrities along the way. He performed magic for Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Johnny Depp and others along the way. As recent as last year, Brainard performed at Magic Castle in Hollywood.

And Brainard enjoys the fame that accompanies his love for magic. During a recent interview, Brainard talked of being in Scotland with his wife Lori, and of how people were asking him for his autograph.

“It’s amazing,” said Brainard. “I’m doing what I love, and people love me for it.”

Now, in a collaborative project with Garrett Thomas, a close up magician from Central New York, a new venture has begun. The two are performing in casinos and clubs, and began recently in Syracuse, N.Y. at The Ridge.

Back home, Brainard recently performed street magic at the Strawberry Festival and is preparing for his lecture tour in the fall. 

As for his name, Kozmo, he explained that its discovery was simple. In the early 1990’s, Brainard was driving back from Chicago and after seven hours of ponderance, he came up with Kozmo.

“It just works,” he said.

And today, with his dream fulfilled, Brainard is spending 100 percent of his time doing what he loves – magic.

If you would like to learn more about Kozmo and his magic, you can email Brainard at kozmomagic@me.com.