Miles

The Autobiography

By: Miles Davis

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Universally acclaimed as a musical genius, Miles Davis was one of the most important and influential musicians in the world. Here, Miles speaks out about his extraordinary life. Miles: The Autobiography, like Miles himself, holds nothing back. For the first time Miles talks about his five-year silence. He speaks frankly and openly about his drug problem and how he overcame it. He condemns the racism he encountered in the music business and in American society generally. And he discusses the women in his life. But above all, Miles talks about music and musicians, including the legends he has played with over the years: Bird, Dizzy, Monk, Trane, Mingus, and many others. The man who gave us some of the most exciting music of the twentieth century here gives us a compelling and fascinating autobiography.

©1989 Miles Davis. All rights reserved. (P)2012 AudioGo

Simply amazing

Never a dull moment in this legends life.. Dion Graham is the man for narrating this. May the OG Miles continue to Rest In Peace 🙏🏾

Great History Lesson

Loved the story and the narrator. Enjoyed my time with Miles Davis. Learned a lot about music, history and the man. It’s an enjoyable listen.

Takes you Inside the World of a Jazz Legend

Miles wrote a brutally honest autobiography. You see the man's faults, as well as the tremendous drive that made him one of the most renowned Jazz greats of the 20th century. The book answers some of the questions that made Miles such an enigma, such as: why did he famously turn his back on audiences on stage? And why was he known for having a sometimes contentious personality?

Miles was very sensitive to patronizing, and racist comments by whites, partially because he came up at a time when blacks were excluded from some night clubs and hotels that he traveled to, and because he grew up in East St. Louis which had a terrible race riot in the early 20th Century, where many blacks were killed.

He tells of an incident where he was at the white house receiving an award when he took offense at a patronizing racial comment from one of the guests. "I bet your Mammy would be proud of you." After he told the lady off, the insulted woman asked, "what did you do to deserve this presidential award?" "I changed the music 6 or 7 times," Miles said. And he did, from his groundbreaking Sketches Of Spain in the fifties, which is unlike any other jazz album, to his rock fusion in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

Miles was accused by some of pandering to commercialism when he combined his jazz with rock. I saw Miles shortly before he died, when he did a free concert at Penn's Landing in Philly. I saw a little baby dancing, and the music was just that natural and spontaneous, which was what Miles said about it. He also said that the young people get addicted to the electronic sound, and then it becomes hard to listen to acoustic music. - and I find this true with my own listening. Miles just had that inherent knowledge about music - which made him the legend he was. He also sacrificed everything for his music.

If you're interested in jazz, or what it was like being a jazz celebrity in the 20th Century you'll like this book.

A way to know the man and history behind his music

Where does Miles rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High

What did you like best about this story?

The picture you get of an era, and the many musicians that Miles knew and played with.

Any additional comments?

My godson is African American, when he's old enough I'd like him to hear this book.

The Many Ups and Downs

What did you love best about Miles?

Through many ups and Miles Davis followed his passion until the very end!

What did you like best about this story?

I listened to this during a rough time in my life. This story inspired me to carry on.

What about Dion Graham’s performance did you like?

His raspy voice reminded me of Miles'.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the guy touched Miles' horn and thanked Miles.

Great jazz history

If you could sum up Miles in three words, what would they be?

a jazz legend

Which character – as performed by Dion Graham – was your favorite?

This was my first book read by Dion Graham and he had the raspy voice of Miles down to perfection, it gave you the feeling Miles was talking to you about his life and music this has become one of my favorite audible books

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just amazed at how many people Miles played with and his influence on jazz

Any additional comments?

If you love jazz this is a must listen.

One of the best biographies yet

Would you listen to Miles again? Why?

It like your listening to him tell his own life story

What did you like best about this story?

that it sounds like his voice

What does Dion Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

feelings and depth

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Miles; The Man The Music

LOVE!

This is a must read, especially for musicians and lovers of music. So well written and I learned so much! Man, what a life, what a mind.

I just love Miles Davis...

love it a great book find out for yourself,thank you Miles for everything God bless you and the Miles Davis family.

Superb performance by Dion Graham

Like listening to Miles who does not pull any punches. The perfect audio book.