Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound

by Dave Chisholm

Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound is a synesthesia-inducing graphic novel that follows the many lives of music legend Miles Davis.

With narration adapted from Davis’ own words and an innovative visual style that shifts to reflect Davis’ constant musical changes, this 150-page graphic novel follows Davis through four decades of musical innovation, all centered around his quest to find a mysterious sound he heard on a moonlit country road as a child.

Meticulously researched and expertly crafted by writer/artist Dave Chisholm —a doctorate holder in jazz trumpet from the Eastman School of Music— Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound deftly explores the often volatile journey of Miles Davis and his world-renowned music.

Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound is a graphic novel you’ll have to hear to believe–it’ll make you see music in a whole new light.

Genres: Music, Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Biography, History

150 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2023

About the author

Dave Chisholm is a graphic novelist and musician currently living in Rochester, NY where he received his doctorate in jazz trumpet from the Eastman School of Music in 2013. His expertise in music as well as his formal inventiveness within the comics medium has resulted in a string of critically-acclaimed music-centric graphic novels including Miles Davis & the Search for the Sound (2023, Z2 Comics), Enter the Blue (2022, Z2 Comics), and Chasin' the Bird: Charlie Parker in California (2020, Z2 Comics). His most recent releases SPECTRUM (Mad Cave Studios)--a trippy exploration of a funhouse-mirror version of 20th-century music history framed by an eternal battle in the realm of music and sound made in collaboration with writer Rick Quinn--and PLAGUE HOUSE (Oni Press)--an inventive rethinking of the haunted house genre made in collaboration with writer Michael W Conrad--demonstrate his breadth.

Hailed by ComicsBeat as "one of the most exciting comic auteurs working in comics today," Chisholm also has a passion for education and teaches comics and music at the Hochstein School and the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

In his free time, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and cats.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a jazz fan and I would consider Miles Davis to be my favorite jazz artist. Once I discovered his masterpiece [Kind of Blue], it opened up a whole new world. I also cannot think of another artist who kept pushing himself in different directions, his entire career. I spotted [Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound] on shelf at the library and immediately scooped it up. The author/illustrator did a wonderful job capturing the man and the artist, not shying away at all from his addictions and many character flaws. I highly recommend this graphic bio. This author also has created a GN bio on the legendary Charlie Parker which I may also seek out.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sometimes would start to listen to the music that was being discussed but I still don't understand 4 bars, 3-4 time and all that but it was still a great experience.
Somehow Chisholm got me to love Miles Davis even more.

[Prudence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know anything about jazz, but it's a damn good comic.

[Kyle Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough, especially for music fans. I thought the author did an excellent job going through Miles' life, which was multifaceted not only in his approach to music but in many other phases as well. I really liked that the author derived the words used by Miles in this story from interviews Miles did and Miles' autobiography. The artwork was dynamic throughout as well - this being a medium without sound, producing a book in which recording sessions are a key component of the story presents a natural challenge. The sessions presented in the book were excellent and really showed movement in a creative and effective way.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art floats and swirls like his music - miles is one of the greatest artists of all time but also such a difficult and bad guy. Adds to what I already knew about Miles and the art is psychedelic and groovy enough to feel like what Miles felt (maybe)

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing Miles' story well, from reading and rereading bios and his autobiography, at first I was a little put off by the gaps in this graphic novel. As I read further I came to appreciate that gaps are necessary and appreciate how the author maneuvered through them. Visually this book is often a stunning representation of Miles, both his life and music.

[Brian Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a musician, I have often felt that songs and melodies have a certain "color", so it was incredible to see this feeling actualized in this graphic novel! This book is both a beautiful piece of art and a riveting story of the troubled genius, Miles Davis.

For me, it's the splash pages where this novel visually shines; the massive spreads of musicians playing with each other and the colors following between them are quite striking. It hits home for me, as it's an emotion I can certainly relate to. If you have never experienced playing music with somebody else, it is hard to describe how accurately these feelings are portrayed within the panels, but from the subtle eye contact to the flowing of notes through color, it does really feel like I am a part of the jam.

The story is equally as intense. It does not shy away from the darkness that was Miles' life(the tones and shadows brilliantly portray this shift in tonality when it arises). From the drugs, promiscuity, and negligence, the novel shows a side of Miles I had not yet seen.

I would absolutely recommend this graphic novel to all music lovers looking to kill an afternoon!

[Paul Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound could not be a more appropriate title for Dave Chisholm's altogether riveting graphic novel devoted to "The Man With The Horn." The latter spent the better part of his career literally and figuratively hunting for novel forms of music that would challenge both himself and the musicians with whom he chose to play (including such luminaries of the jazz idiom as John Coltrane and Joe Zawinul).

Graphic novelist Chisholm, who received his doctorate in Jazz Trumpet from the Eastman School of Music, devised this 150-page graphic novel in such a way its story line follows Davis through four decades of musical innovation. And the experience of reading it quite closely mirrors hearing the music of Davis' ranging from The Birth of the Cool (Capitol, 1957), through the modal approach of Kind of Blue (Columbia, 1959) then on to the expansive eclecticism of In A Silent Way (Columbia,1969), Bitches Brew (Columbia, 1970) and beyond.

But the author frames his narrative around Davis' recovery from a stroke in 1982, thereby allowing for the intrinsic drama that arises from his chronological back and forth to that period. Such often kaleidoscopic action, combined with the colourful figures like the musician's paramour, actress Cicely Tyson and Columbia Records label mogul Clive Davis populating the timeline(s), are reflected in the adventurous use of design and layout. Pages 88 and 89 are a microcosm of the diversity emblematic of the entire work, deep reds and blues contrasting pastel shades in such a way the pacing of pictures is altogether akin to a finely-paced musical performance.

Dave Chisholm does it all here. Writing, drawing, colouring and lettering (with colour flats by Dustyn Payette), he is comparably knowledgeable about Davis' professional and personal life as well as the broader milieu of modern jazz. Accordingly, he dedicates his work to the late Wayne Shorter and has the sufficiently empathetic touch to allow the iconic trumpeter/bandleader's youngest son Erin to compose the foreword. The overall execution is as unerring as the concept is ambitious.

Restless creative soul that he was, the subject of Miles Davis and The Search for The Sound would no doubt be both proud and approving of Chisholm's work. The latter captures Davis' irascible personality in as much detail as the cultural totems of the times in which he lived—see the police incident outside the Blue Note club in 1959—the sum total of which is not only the chronicle of a once-in-a-lifetime artist but of a paradigm shift of a society.

Narration adapted from Davis' own words outlines a story in which the main character unknowingly finds himself on a quest to find a mysterious tone he once heard in his childhood. Contrary to what skeptics might avow (similar to that demographic that besmirched the work of the man in the Sixties, Seventies and beyond), the graphic novel medium is ideally suited to the task Dave Chisholm set for himself; he can clearly illustrate not only the St. Louis native's transcendence of obstacles. but also this earthly plane from which the music lifts him (and his audiences).

At once kinetic and penetrating, the combination of art and dialogue is almost as multifaceted as the music that forms its foundation. Z2 Comics and its distributor Simon & Schuster deserve more than a few kudos for the release of Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound in standard hardcover and deluxe editions. Particularly in comparison to similar configurations published in the superhero and fantasy realm, both are reasonably priced to attract genuine aficionados and the curious dilettante.

With or without using as soundtracks the extensive body of work including the powerhouse titles on Prestige Records as well as those by his two great quintets, those demographics that will no doubt savour ownership way past the holiday gift-giving season in which the piece purposefully debuts. On its own terms and for the vivid means by which it mirrors both the adventurer that was Miles Davis and his transportive, adventuresome records, Dave Chisholm's ...The Search For The Sound is an artful complement to those groundbreaking efforts.

[Mark Hartzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own 8-9 Miles Davis albums from ‘Birth of the Cool’ to ‘Tutu’, and while they often sound nothing alike, they are bound together by a common thread of restless energy. Dave Chisholm has captured this quality in a wonderful book which just happens to be a ‘graphic novel’. (The horror!)

While I knew that Davis had a serious stroke, I did not know that as part of his physical therapy, he was tasked with drawing by his physician to help strengthen and regain the use of his right hand. Not only is Mr. Chisholm an excellent artist, he does a fantastic job of providing a coherent narrative. Much of the words Chisholm has chosen are Davis’ own culled from his autobiography. Years ago, I had tried to read that book, but had to put it down as I just could not get past Davis’ own actions. In short, he was a colossal asshole. ‘Search for the Sound’ does not sugarcoat those aspects whatsoever, but it is here that the graphic format really shines.

I want to say right now that Dave Chisholm is an EXCELLENT illustrator. The artwork is not only vibrant and well drawn, but also emotional and intense.

Davis is nowhere close to my favorite artist or even jazz artist, (I strongly prefer Mr. Coltrane, Mr. Parker and even Branford Marsalis to Davis’ work.) But over the years, I’ve been trying to move past the personal foibles of various talented artists to better understand and appreciate their music. Chisholm’s work may even persuade me to take another look at Davis’ autobiography. 5 star work by Chisholm.

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing, sadly. The art was good overall and the historic beats of his life are all represented. I just didn’t get a good feeling for what his music SOUNDED like and why he was such a major force in music to this day. (I know it’s a lot to ask from a graphic novel.) The text, taken verbatim from his autobiography and other sources, does the man no favors — especially regarding his treatment of women.

[Tim Omstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great artwork and wonderful tale of Miles life and music.

[Reed Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so great! Chisholm does a great job with color expressing the different eras in the life of a great musical artist. What a talent and passion for the subject material.

[jaydro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant graphic novel about Miles Davis. As a fan of Miles I enjoyed it immensely, and even learned a few things.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Listen––
––there are no mistakes.
It's not the note you play that's the wrong note––
It's the note you play afterward that makes it right or wrong." (p. 109)

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and fun approach. It is essentially an adaptation of select stories that Miles previously told (mainly from his autobiography). But I enjoyed how the author focused on the search for sound.

He included some of the horrible parts as well: namely the domestic violence, drug abuse, and alcoholism. Which was an interesting touch.

But the really cool part is the usage of color. I don't know if Miles had Synesthesia, but the color and illustration of music certainly made a strong case.

Recommended.

[Shayla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 rating! This was a different kind of graphic novel than I'm used to. I of course know of Miles Davis, his brilliance and his troubles with substance abuse. Music has always been the heart of Miles and this book showed that in a magical, lyrical way.

[Jenna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best graphic novels I've read in a long time. The visual storytelling and narrative structure are both masterful. It respects Davis and his contributions without being too reverent or pulling punches. And between this, Enter the Blue, and Chasin' the Bird, I can confidently say that Dave Chisholm does a better job visually representing music than any other cartoonist I've read. I'm a musician and he's the only comics artist I've seen who really captures the feeling of playing onstage and collaboratively making music - usually you can tell it's a visual artist representing their approach to their own art through musical aesthetics.

I also love that Chisholm used Miles Davis' own words from interviews, autobiographies, and anecdotes rather than putting words in his mouth or repeating what he did in Chasin' the Bird by looking at the subject from the outside in. I can't imagine how much research went into it but it really made the book stand out, both in the broader landscape of biography and in Chisholm's own body of work.

Definitely a must-read, even for folks who don't typically read comics 0r aren't particularly interested in jazz.

[Matt Graupman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Miles Davis' relentless pursuit of The Sound, Dave Chisholm is an artist constantly searching for The Look, which makes him the perfect biographer for the larger-than-life jazz legend. Never one to rest on his considerable laurels (see: "Instrumental," "Canopus," "Enter The Blue," "Chasin' The Bird: Charlie Parker In California," etc.), "Miles Davis And The Search For The Sound" contains some of the most experimental, radical, and psychedelic work of Chisholm's career; he's always had the unmatched ability to illustrate music - live and recorded - but his pages here are several levels beyond. Engaging and remarkably honest, this biography presents Davis' triumphs and failures with equal verve; there are times you'll love Davis and there are times you'll loathe him. It's a huge accomplishment for Chisholm and stands as some of his best work (until his next book, of course, as he seems to be constantly one-upping himself). A must read for jazz fans, music fans, comic fans, or any combination thereof.

[Bart Mullis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished it last night late. Didn’t want it to end… I feel it captures an essence unlike I’ve experienced. I didn’t know what to expect from this but David over delivered. It’s meaningful, beautiful, true, and real. I’ve read Miles’ autobiography andI learned a lot more from this and on a deeper more artistic level! David is an amazing artist and to top it off researched and understands the whole picture. I loved the art style and way that David captures sound and vibration in such a profound way visually. This book got me to listen to albums like sketches of Spain, in a silent way, and on the corner (which I hadn’t before) all incredible. I love how the colors and art capture each period of Miles’ life. I think Miles would have loved this book himself and that’s saying something…

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic biography of Miles Davis in a graphic novel form. The illustrations are deep and beautiful. And Chisholm (a musician and graphic artist) wisely puts this narrative largely in the first person, pulling much of the text from Miles himself (interviews, his autobiography, liner notes, etc.). It's hard to capture an artistic journey as epic as the one Miles traveled in a short format like this, but damn if Chisholm doesn't pretty much nail it. Miles had some (ahem) rough edges, particularly around his treatment of women, and Chisholm doesn't gloss over those deep flaws. But despite being into Miles' music across its many phases for decades, I learned things from Chisholm's work, especially about what drove Miles to continuously reinvent himself.

[David Dunlap · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was something of a disappointment. First, the positives: The artwork is colorful -- and phenomenal. The text is actually based on Davis's autobiography, so it's about as close to the source as is possible. The negatives: The combinations of color backgrounds and text color make it difficult to read in places. I was not prepared for the raw language. The narrative was disjointed. And I did not feel as if I knew Miles Davis -- or his contributions to music -- any better by the end of the book than I had at the beginning. Sorry! Can't recommend this one...

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Search for the Sound definitely exceeded my expectations. All of what you would expect - the relentless pursuit of a unique sound, great sidemen, drugs, womanizing, etc. - was all here, but Davis wasn't treated like a flawless god throughout. There was a lot of harsh reality and brutal insight into how selfish and abusive he could be, which I appreciated. Still, Chisholm does a great job of highlighting Miles's artistic drive and superhuman achievements. Fantastic read for serious fans or the casual reader.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book about Miles Davis. The drawing is beautiful. (It's a graphically told story.) I love the focus on Miles' music, though through images and words we get a clear sense of Miles Davis himself, the good and the bad. After reading and seeing this book, I find myself reflecting a lot on what Miles was trying to do and say with his music. What a powerful use of the graphic form to tell an important story.

[Jared Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc review

[André Dadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schitterende graphic novel over het leven van Miles Davis.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning visual depictions of Miles Davis’s sound.

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author masterfully captured Davis's unique voice and vision, presenting a captivating narrative that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

[Bethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful visually and so much more interesting than reading a standard biography. The use of colour brought it to life.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about Miles Davis— and jazz!— reading this beautifully conceived book. Now working through his discography.