Miles Davis is known worldwide for musical genius expressed on his trumpet and through his musical groups. He was a figurehead in many countries for jazz, the quintessentially American cultural expression. In this autobiography, he teamed with Troupe to tell his story just before he died. With Troupe, he talked openly about his struggles with drugs, women, and racism. He spoke bluntly about the people who surrounded him and shared insight into the creative forces at work in his life.
He honestly describes his struggles with drugs. Much of the book is repetitive concerning this hardship because this was the nature of Davis’ life. Unfortunately, drugs prevented him from reaching his full potential. When he overcame his addictions, he became more musically creative, and the book’s writing reflected this liveliness as well. Davis found comfort by pursuing painting towards the end of his life. This allowed him a place to work out his humanity besides his famed trumpet.
Troupe does a good job of capturing Davis’ personality. Much of Davis’ language in this work is vulgar, but in the afterword, Troupe insists that this was natural to Davis’ expression in interviews. Davis spoke a lot about racism and double standards that American white people carry. I am saddened that he had to carry this burden throughout his life.
Fans of jazz and music in general can benefit from understanding Davis’ voice in this autobiography. Also, readers can learn about the hardships of being a famous musician who is often on the road and without supportive social structures. The clearly negative effects of drugs on genius can also be observed. Engaged readers cannot help but wonder what he could have been (even moreso!) without the impediments of drugs.
Miles Davis reinvented himself several times musically throughout his life. He also reinvented himself spiritually and in daily habits. All of that spoke to the nature of his immense genius. Overall, Troupe does a good job of capturing this. Davis’ language, which tends towards sounding cool rather than being direct, tends to obscure its potential impact. He overuses vulgar words that could be effectively replaced with clearer language. Troupe notes that Davis conveyed meaning through these words tonally as well, and this, of course, is hard to convey through the written word. Overall, Davis’ life represented a triumph of the creative human spirit, though I cannot help but wonder what more he could have contributed had drugs and racism not negatively encumber him.
Miles: The Autobiography
By Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe
Copyright (c) 2012
Blackstone Publishing
ISBN13 9781451643183
Audiobook
Genre: Autobiography/Memoir
www.amazon.com