Round about Midnight: A Portrait of Miles Davis

by Eric Nisenson

Book Overview

"Full of the sort of 'I was there' stories that enrich the late-night conversations of jazz enthusiasts but rarely end up between the covers. For anyone with an interest in Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and modern jazz, it should be required reading."--Robert Palmer, New York Times

From 1975 to 1981 the jazz giant Miles Davis temporarily retired from music. Almost completely reclusive, nobody outside of a very close...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306806843
• ISBN13: 9780306806841
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

This is a great place to start!

A truly engrossing book, full of classic stories and memories of recording sessions. A great primer for the new Miles fan. Check it out.

Memories make the book!

This book is made awesome by the recollections by its author, Eric Nisenson. To read the excerpts from Nisenson's interactions with Miles gives the book a closeness that is only attainable by personal experiences. The reader is drawn to it, the riveting detail transforms the words into a vivid picture in which the reader sees him/herself in Miles' living- room, hearing that classical rasp of his. Definitely a must read for all those interested in Western music.

ANother Great Book

I Never get tired of Reading about Miles Davis.and this Book is Very well done.Eric Nisenson does a Fantastic Job Here Detailing The Life & Times of The Man.all of his Musical Heroes & Those He Inspired which were many.Miles Davis is one of the Greatest Teachers of Music that the Music World has ever Heard. & Also Very Black & Proud.Miles was A Brother He Never Sold-Out & was His Own Man.

MILES PICKED UP WHERE BE-BOP LEFT OFF

MILES, ONE OF THE MOST POTENT TRUMPETS TO COME OFF 52ND STREET. HE WAS THE SHY RELUCTANT UNDER STUDY OF THE GREAT BEBOP GURU, CHARLIE(BIRD)PARKER AND THE STUDENT OF DIZZY. WEANED ON CLARK TERRY,ELWOOD BUCHANAN REMAINED HIS MENTOR.MILES BECAME THE MENTOR TO COLTRANE,AND MONK.FROM THE PIT OF HERION ADDICTION, TO THE PENECALE OF JAZZ AVATAR AND BEYOND.MILES DAVIS THE MAN, THE ARTIST, THE EXPLORER OF JAZZ HORZIONS. THIS BOOK WAS GREAT FROM COVER TO COVER, EACH TIME I HAVE READ IT.

Excellent portrayal of a great musician.

'Round About Midnight is an excellent book about and man, his music, & how he evolved to be one of the most important musicians & trumpeter of the 20th century. Shows the true essence and personality of a controversial man & musician who always spoke the truth about himself, his music, & those around him.....Along with the book by Quincy Troupe, it is a must for any avid Jazz afficionado. Very enjoyable reading and I, for one, will always cherish it & no doubt read again and again.... Thank you Mr. Nisenson for this good piece of writing.......