Dark Magus: The Jekyll and Hyde Life of Miles Davis

By Gregory Davis and Les Sussman

Book Overview

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

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879308753
• ISBN13: 9780879308759
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Backbeat Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.2"