I saw that a while ago, its pretty good…but Jason Garfield seemed to have a problem with the audience reacting so well to a not that brilliant juggling act, and responded with his five ball version.
I just watched the five-ball guy’s routine. He performed with more skill of course but I think the three-ball guy interpreted the music with much more presentation. It’s a lot like the difference between the freestyle unicycle routines of the American riders and the Japanese riders. The Americans are very, very skillful, as are the Japanese of course, but the Japanese riders seem to put so much more emotion, connectivity with the music and flow into their routines. They are very beautiful riders.
I agree…I think Chris Bliss’s performance was clearly directed towards non-jugglers, so he didn’t need to use extremely technical tricks to wow the audience, he just had to perform well, use exagerrated movements, and choreograph to the music. That made his performance really, really good. Jason Garfield was directing his movie towards jugglers, who would understand that the one Chris Bliss did wasn’t all that impressive, if judging only by the skill level of the tricks.
Jason Garfield is a brilliant juggler and either a complete asshole or a brilliant showman.
Ironically - although he is probably aware of the irony - his routines that make fun of jugglers who, in his estimation, fail to live up to his exacting standards, have made him something of a clown.
And, yes, I say this without ever having met the guy.
Bliss’ routine was fun and entertaining.
Miss A. would be proud.
Definitely a little of both. I once took a flash picture of him juggling (at Lodi Festival public show) just to see how he’d react. He was very funny, but of course that’s with an audience of hardcore jugglers.
Chris Bliss is a standup comedian, who still hasn’t completely let go of his juggling roots. Good for him! His musical juggling bit was easily the best part of his act when we saw him on a cruise we went on last fall. We saw him twice, once for “family” and once in an R-rated show. He was funny, but his juggling was the best part.
I’ll have to post those cruise pictures… 
A cousin of mine sent me a link to the Bliss video a while back. I enjoyed watching it, and when I looked for more info on it I ran across the Garfield site. Personally I think Mr. Garfield’s attitude is a bit unfortunate. Maybe he has the technical skills to put more balls into the air in a greater variety of patterns or whatever than Bliss does, but Bliss’ video shows him taking the skills that he does have, understanding how to use them, and making the best use of them to build a solid artistic routine. I’m with yoopers and James_Potter here; I think Bliss’s simpler act is better choreographed and more fun to watch, especially with the awareness of Garfield’s intent. Bliss’ routine is his gift to the audience; Garfield’s is a mean-sprirted face-rubbing. Garfield’s message is basically that Bliss isn’t a real juggler because he’s only using three balls, lookit my video, see how much better I am than he is, nyah. I’m sure there’s probably someone else out there who could take seven balls and do an even more technical routine with them, and maybe even film it without all of those cuts and splices…
Thats awesome a very talented juggler finally made it onto ebaums.
jason garfield is a jugglers’ juggler. reportedly in person he’s very nice and helpful and loves teaching people higher level stuff. the jerk he appears to be is only partially an act. he hates how “regular” people applaude routines like Bliss’ simply because they’re averagely choreographed to a popular song. in his videos he takes on everyone. even other world class jugglers. even those who can do things he can’t. his website offers insight into his madness.
It’s not really an either/or situation. I’ve met him at juggling festivals, and in my HO he’s both.
I’ll take his rendition over the Bliss original any time. The five-up 720 trumps the endless 3 ball reverse cascade.
i know someone that met him and he said that jason was a complete asshole all the time. the way he is on stage is the way he is off stage. i love watching him though its amazing some of the things he does. Everyone who likes juggling should deffinately check out the video Things You Cant Do 1 and 2 i have 2 and it is AMAZING the greatest stuff you have seen. This guy who does the 3 ball ruitine is not that good. i have been juggling for about 3 years now i can do all of the stuff and much more from that video. But check out Things you cant do there is a guy in the second one named Will Murry (i think thats his name) he is amazing at clubs.
Reviving this thread from a coupla weeks ago ‘cuz I just had someone forward the Bliss video to me. I was pretty amazed. I can’t do all of the patterns he’s got down but I can manage most of them. To me, the choreography and timing was fantastic. I wasn’t able to open the Garfield video for some reason but I’ve seen videos of him and there’s probably none better however, I did read his website and he totally slams Bliss’ choreography as ‘sloppy’ yet what I’ve read here seems to indicate that this population (jugglers on this forum) seems to be in agreement that the Bliss choreography is a step above Garfield’s. Bliss understands how to perform for and impress a non- juggling audience and does so with real flair. I’m sure he’s got a reportiore of multi ball tricks up his sleeve but he also understands that, when you’re performing for a non-juggling audience, you just can’t risk dropping any balls. They’re not going to appreciate the fact that you tried something very difficult and didn’t quite pull it off. They’ll only remember that, ‘yeah, he was pretty good but he dropped a ball.’ Chris stayed well within his limits and put on a he!! of a performance.