Dark Magus: The Jekyll and Hyde Life of Miles Davis [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Gregory Davis (Author), Les Sussman (Author), Clark Terry (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006

Dark Magus is a warts-and-all look at the real Miles Davis. As told by his son, this book strips away the public perception of Davis and gets down to the realities of his personality, his relationships, and his many quirks. Dark Magus details this enigmatic superstar's Jekyll and Hyde behavior: his swings between sobriety and prodigious drug use; his tender family moments and his destructive selfishness; his search for marital stability and his obsession with young women; his exalted musical talent and his ever-present personal demons. The author also delves into Davis' relationships with artists such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, as well as his role as a mentor to young musicians, his obsession with sports, the ups and downs of his career, and the family's turmoil over his final will. "This book is a brilliant and engaging revelation of Miles' character through the recollections of his oldest son. It's a book about a legendary musician who was one of my closest friends, and a book that's second to none." - Clark Terry

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gregory Rahman Ali Davis is the oldest son of Jazz legend Miles Davis. He travelled with his father from the age of 12 and was exposed to many great musicians along the way. Today, Gregory is carrying on the legacy of his father. Besides performing with his own group, Gregory holds a Masters Degree in Psychotheraphy. Les Sussman is the author of one book on country music and two books on gospel music. He writes for the NY Daily News and other publications. Possessor of the happiest sound in jazz, flugelhornist Clark Terry always plays music that is exuberant, swinging, and fun. A brilliant (and very distinctive) soloist, C.T. gained fame for his "Mumbles" vocals (which started as a satire of the less intelligible ancient blues singers) and is also an enthusiastic educator. He gained early experience playing trumpet in the viable St. Louis jazz scene of the early '40s (where he was an inspiration for Miles Davis) and, after performing in a Navy band during World War II, he gained a strong reputation playing with the big band of Charlie Barnet (1947-1948), the orchestra and small groups of Count Basie (1948-1951), and particularly with Duke Ellington (1951-1959).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879308753
• ASIN: B005IUVNZ8
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,064,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Hyde of a book, November 18, 2006

By 

Rebecca I. Richardson "Jazz Musician" (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dark Magus: The Jekyll and Hyde Life of Miles Davis (Hardcover)

I'm sure Gregory Davis had incredible access to Miles being his son and all, but this book is simply poorly written and uninsightful. Short little "chapter/paragraphs" with meaningless stories that go nowhere are the norm here. Save your money and buy a few Miles CD's instead. I couldn't be more disapointed in this book that I so looked forward to the release of. Sorry. I wish I could say better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars ....and this guy has a degree....., December 28, 2006

By 

Joseph Simmons "Mystik Eye" (Cosmos) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dark Magus: The Jekyll and Hyde Life of Miles Davis (Hardcover)

GEEZ, the book is writ' like a 12 year old kid, yet this man claims to have a big degree--whats more is he adds NOTHING of substance to the stories we may have read in Miles' autobio., or other works...just a bunch of regurgitation of stories already in print--and boring too--nothing to capture your attention too long, and trust me, I've read all I can find on Miles....

His own writing has a "Jekyl and Hyde" of its own in that one minute he hails his dad and the next he nails him....so, perhaps this schizophrenic energy has rubbed off, who knows...

all I know is I am GLAD that I got it used....

another thing is the annoying fact that he skips around like a kid on a jump rope--one minute your lost in the haze of the 70's, the next your sitting in Birdland waiting for Miles to play alongside Bird....

the only thing I liked this book for is the few rare photos in color that it has....

finally, when it comes to Miles, I am not hard to please--JUST GIMME MILES! but here, its hard to believe it was writ' by his OWN SON--and I think this is the reason I am so taken aback by the lack of inspiration or content....

maybe Squeaky can do a better job heh?

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Non-exsistant writing style, May 9, 2007

By 

E. Person "music lover1" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dark Magus: The Jekyll and Hyde Life of Miles Davis (Hardcover)

When I bought this book I was excited, cause I felt that the son that lived and worked among the man that is Miles Dewey Davis, could and would provide a great,colorful, sometimes wonderful, sometimes tragic insight into him. This son, who is a psychotherapist, had NO deep insight inside Miles. He was a very un-poetic author. Painful even. Typos are peppered throughout the whole book. Phrases, and stories are repeated, with no elaboration. This was a hard read, so hard that I stopped at page 126, and I cant seem to pick the book up again.The book is only 168 pages too. I can't believe i'm going to say this: it's a bore!! BORING. And because there is no elaboration on the stories he tells that he experienced with Miles, you never walk away with any surprises. Uh, is this Miles Davis's life we are talking here? No. It's the story of a son with a very limited writing ability.

I collect books written about Miles Davis, and I'd have to say that THIS book is the worst!!!!!