What do you think?
Rate this book
So What: The Life of Miles Davis
Musical genius, visionary artist, enigma -- more than ten years after his death, Miles Davis still looms large as a cultural icon. In this, the first new biography since Davis' death, John Szwed draws on various archives and never-before-published interviews with those who knew him to produce the richest and most revealing portrait of Miles Davis to date.
The shy son of a dentist from Illinois, Miles Dewey Davis III would go through several transformations before becoming the image of cool. Change, says Szwed, was the driving force in both Davis' life and music -- as quickly as he established a new direction in his music and a new identity, he would radically reinvent both. He seemed to thrive on close musical relationships -- playing with jazz greats from Charlie Parker to John Coltrane and working with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, and composer Gil Evans, among others -- and yet the enduring image of Davis is of a lone figure, famously turning his back on the audience. He was at the peak of his career, having achieved star status, when he withdrew from the spotlight, spending years as a recluse. These seeming contradictions fueled the myths surrounding the man, but Szwed's insights into Davis' personality and artistic creativity shed new light on his life, from his turbulent relationships to his drug use and mysterious last days. Elegantly written and carefully researched, So What is the authoritative life of an artist who was always ahead of his time.
The shy son of a dentist from Illinois, Miles Dewey Davis III would go through several transformations before becoming the image of cool. Change, says Szwed, was the driving force in both Davis' life and music -- as quickly as he established a new direction in his music and a new identity, he would radically reinvent both. He seemed to thrive on close musical relationships -- playing with jazz greats from Charlie Parker to John Coltrane and working with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, and composer Gil Evans, among others -- and yet the enduring image of Davis is of a lone figure, famously turning his back on the audience. He was at the peak of his career, having achieved star status, when he withdrew from the spotlight, spending years as a recluse. These seeming contradictions fueled the myths surrounding the man, but Szwed's insights into Davis' personality and artistic creativity shed new light on his life, from his turbulent relationships to his drug use and mysterious last days. Elegantly written and carefully researched, So What is the authoritative life of an artist who was always ahead of his time.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
26 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 22, 2022
Many adjectives could be used to describe Davis, but from what I got out of this bio I would call him a stubborn, complicated, bully, and innovator who marched to his own beat. Davis never liked his music being called jazz. He would often play with his back to the audience and always staring down at his horn so as not to be distracted by anyone or anything.
His various musical tastes and periods were compared to Picasso who went through his share of artistic styles and interests. Both went through a lot of women as well, but both were also very influential.
Davis was also a major drug taker and abuser and he himself even said "Music is like dope. You use it until you get tired of it".
From what I gather his best album remains "Kind of Blue" (1959) which Miles was composer, director, trumpeter, and band leader on and featured such greats in the band as Bill Evans on piano, Coltrane on tenor sax to name a few.
Szwed puts together a biography that is rich in details, albums, concerts, lifestyle, and all the warts that came with Davis in his 65 years on earth. Highly recommended to those who have an interest.
His various musical tastes and periods were compared to Picasso who went through his share of artistic styles and interests. Both went through a lot of women as well, but both were also very influential.
Davis was also a major drug taker and abuser and he himself even said "Music is like dope. You use it until you get tired of it".
From what I gather his best album remains "Kind of Blue" (1959) which Miles was composer, director, trumpeter, and band leader on and featured such greats in the band as Bill Evans on piano, Coltrane on tenor sax to name a few.
Szwed puts together a biography that is rich in details, albums, concerts, lifestyle, and all the warts that came with Davis in his 65 years on earth. Highly recommended to those who have an interest.
November 28, 2023
Wonderful biography of a complicated, frustrating genius. Does an admirable job of combining detail with good storytelling and seemed to hit all the important points of Miles' life. It is less entertaining than Miles' autobiography but there was no chance it wouldn't be, given that the autobiography was written in Miles' absurdly absorbing voice.
Szwed put a decent amount of focus on Miles' music from 1969-1974, which is my favorite period, so I was happy about that (Miles glossed over it in his autobiography).
Well worth reading a second book about Miles to read the analysis of his life and music from someone who isn't him and can take a somewhat more objective view--whatever that means for a legend like Miles.
Szwed put a decent amount of focus on Miles' music from 1969-1974, which is my favorite period, so I was happy about that (Miles glossed over it in his autobiography).
Well worth reading a second book about Miles to read the analysis of his life and music from someone who isn't him and can take a somewhat more objective view--whatever that means for a legend like Miles.
March 18, 2014
In the past few days, I immersed myself into the life of Miles Davis through the pen of John Szwed. I read from 10 pm (when the kids went to bed) until 1:30 in the morning, went to sleep with Miles in my head, and then got up at 5 am to read some more.
Even though I have read a numerous books on Miles including his autobiography, I find Szwed's So What enlightening. Most of Miles stories have been told before, but Szwed made some corrections through his extensive research and interviews of Miles's family members. Once again, I lost count of how many women Miles had slept and slapped, but the way that he treated Frances Taylor, in particular, as told in this book is quite appalling.
Although Szwed claims in the introduction that this book is not a musical study, he had done excellent job of briefly discussing Miles's albums from Birth of the Cool to Doo-Bop. If you want more in-depth studies of Miles's music, however, make sure to pick up Richard Cook's It’s About That Time: Miles Davis On and Off Record after finish reading this book.
Even though I have read a numerous books on Miles including his autobiography, I find Szwed's So What enlightening. Most of Miles stories have been told before, but Szwed made some corrections through his extensive research and interviews of Miles's family members. Once again, I lost count of how many women Miles had slept and slapped, but the way that he treated Frances Taylor, in particular, as told in this book is quite appalling.
Although Szwed claims in the introduction that this book is not a musical study, he had done excellent job of briefly discussing Miles's albums from Birth of the Cool to Doo-Bop. If you want more in-depth studies of Miles's music, however, make sure to pick up Richard Cook's It’s About That Time: Miles Davis On and Off Record after finish reading this book.
September 18, 2019
A very informative read.
A read at times that gets informative to the point of musical theory and breakdown.
What the heck is a chromatic scale? Or 4/4? I am not a musician.
These minuscule quibbles aside, I found John Szwed's biography to be well researched and objective.
Objective in terms of facts.
On the other hand, it is quite noticeable that John is a huge fan of Miles Davis and his influence.
The author doesn't sway from the unflattering (spousal abuse, drugs, insecurities), but will go on rants about how amazing Davis was in nearly everything he did.
These opinions to me are subjective.
I have many Miles Davis albums, and some I do not own.
At times, Miles Davis did seem lost to me...on a search musically, all of which the author acknowledges...whether it was "great" is another story.
Still, I feel like I know all there is to know about the man.
I don't feel like anything was left out.
The last years of his life seemed rushed after spending so much time detailing his youth, but still, I feel like the meat and potatoes of it all were shared.
A few surprises in here for sure.
A portrait painted of a tortured man, in search of truth through music.
A read at times that gets informative to the point of musical theory and breakdown.
What the heck is a chromatic scale? Or 4/4? I am not a musician.
These minuscule quibbles aside, I found John Szwed's biography to be well researched and objective.
Objective in terms of facts.
On the other hand, it is quite noticeable that John is a huge fan of Miles Davis and his influence.
The author doesn't sway from the unflattering (spousal abuse, drugs, insecurities), but will go on rants about how amazing Davis was in nearly everything he did.
These opinions to me are subjective.
I have many Miles Davis albums, and some I do not own.
At times, Miles Davis did seem lost to me...on a search musically, all of which the author acknowledges...whether it was "great" is another story.
Still, I feel like I know all there is to know about the man.
I don't feel like anything was left out.
The last years of his life seemed rushed after spending so much time detailing his youth, but still, I feel like the meat and potatoes of it all were shared.
A few surprises in here for sure.
A portrait painted of a tortured man, in search of truth through music.
January 11, 2020
This is a great book. I haven't read any of the other existing (auto)biographies or books about Davis, so I don't have much to compare to, but the thorough research and detail of analysis and reference to other works makes it worthwhile.
It's a book that looks at the artist and the man and how art or the creation of art and life are extremely intertwined and interwoven.
Of particular value , I found, is an "interlude" chapter, where the author takes a break from the more conventional chronological biography structure , to have an in depth look at the sound that Davis produced with his instrument and how the creation of that sound is what Davis kept aiming at for all his years of change.
You don't have to be a musician to enjoy this book, although you will get more out of it if you are; it may have on of the best explanation of modes in jazz I ever read.
I have been listening to Miles Davis music for over 20 years and after reading this I am looking at this recordings with a completely renewed and refreshed perspective. A must for the fans.
It's a book that looks at the artist and the man and how art or the creation of art and life are extremely intertwined and interwoven.
Of particular value , I found, is an "interlude" chapter, where the author takes a break from the more conventional chronological biography structure , to have an in depth look at the sound that Davis produced with his instrument and how the creation of that sound is what Davis kept aiming at for all his years of change.
You don't have to be a musician to enjoy this book, although you will get more out of it if you are; it may have on of the best explanation of modes in jazz I ever read.
I have been listening to Miles Davis music for over 20 years and after reading this I am looking at this recordings with a completely renewed and refreshed perspective. A must for the fans.
June 25, 2017
Zeer volledige biografie die in detail het muzikale genie schetst. Helaas ook het verhaal van een man die zowat zijn hele leven kampte met zijn demonen, in de eerste plaats drugs. Maar ook zijn omgang met de vrouwen uit zijn leven, zijn ongecontroleerde agressiviteit,...
Het boek leest als een "who's who" van de jazz van de jaren veertig tot tachtig. Ook al overleed hij reeds op 65jarige leeftijd, hij drukte zijn stempel op 40 jaar jazzgeschiedenis en genres als de hardbop, cool of fusion jazz. Zou een drugsvrije Miles nog meer genialiteit hebben opgeleverd? Of net niet? De vraag zal altijd in het ongewisse blijven hangen.
Het boek leest als een "who's who" van de jazz van de jaren veertig tot tachtig. Ook al overleed hij reeds op 65jarige leeftijd, hij drukte zijn stempel op 40 jaar jazzgeschiedenis en genres als de hardbop, cool of fusion jazz. Zou een drugsvrije Miles nog meer genialiteit hebben opgeleverd? Of net niet? De vraag zal altijd in het ongewisse blijven hangen.
July 17, 2023
An exemplary, far-reaching, insightful autobiography by a masterful, highly knowledgeable writer. This book superbly articulates, analises and describes this complex and talented innovator. Swzed impressively details and explains the music and all aspects of Davis' life, including his rather unsavoury personality flaws. The chapters covering from the mid '60s to the mid '70s were especially riveting and made me want to listen to the great albums he made in those years. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2020
The best book on Miles that I’ve read, and I’ve read quite a few. A great place to start if you want an introduction to the life and times and music of arguably the most important musician of the second half of the 20th century. Now to put on Sketches of Spain.
November 14, 2024
The only downside of this biography is the fact that the bibliography of this book is absolutely shit but I find this to be much better compared to the weird hate-boner towards the electric period and unsubstantiated claims of Ian Carr's one.
September 27, 2021
Splendid. Pierces the mystery of the man who changed music four or five times. Filled with insight. In turns, fascinating, entertaining, amusing, appalling, downright horrifying...
Read
April 7, 2022Everything you could possibly find out about the great musician other than by listening to his music. Well worth the read.
July 16, 2015
My quest to learn a little about jazz continued with this biography of Miles Davis. And yes, I learned a ton about the music. I also learned that Davis was a monumental asshole. The strength of the biography is in these two areas--the musical history and clear explication of the different styles of jazz, and the honest portrayal of the artist as monster.
I would have been happy with a little more critical take on Miles's last fifteen years when he pretty much phoned it in and also won a handful of Grammys (further proof that the Grammy is a joke). But my biggest complaint is that the book fails to adequately explain what happened during the most critical phase of Miles's life. One minute he's a junkie has-been, struggling to get clean and put together a band, then suddenly he's producing the most highly acclaimed music in the history of jazz. There was so much happening during this time and far too few pages devoted to making sense of it.
Now excuse me while I try to hunt down a copy of his version of Scritti Politti's "Perfect Way."
I would have been happy with a little more critical take on Miles's last fifteen years when he pretty much phoned it in and also won a handful of Grammys (further proof that the Grammy is a joke). But my biggest complaint is that the book fails to adequately explain what happened during the most critical phase of Miles's life. One minute he's a junkie has-been, struggling to get clean and put together a band, then suddenly he's producing the most highly acclaimed music in the history of jazz. There was so much happening during this time and far too few pages devoted to making sense of it.
Now excuse me while I try to hunt down a copy of his version of Scritti Politti's "Perfect Way."
February 14, 2022
Tratto dalla sovraccoperta: "Non cercare di farmi passare per uno simpatico." Sono parole di Miles Davis, inconfondibilmente sue, ed è la regola alla quale si è attenuto John Szwed per scrivere la biografia più completa e documentata della leggenda che più di una volta ha cambiato il jazz, musicista camaleontico capace di inventare radicalmente sempre nuove direzioni - cool jazz, jazz modale, jazz-rock - e uomo tormentato, ossessionato da se stesso.
Una biografia completa e dettagliata come pochi. Perfetta per chi ama il mondo del jazz o chi muove i primi passi in questo genere musicale e vuole sapere qualcosa di più su questa leggenda.
Nel mio caso non smetterò mai di ringraziare mio padre e tutta l'influenza musicale e culturale che mi ha donato nel corso degli anni. È proprio vero: la mela non cade mai lontana dall'albero.
Una biografia completa e dettagliata come pochi. Perfetta per chi ama il mondo del jazz o chi muove i primi passi in questo genere musicale e vuole sapere qualcosa di più su questa leggenda.
Nel mio caso non smetterò mai di ringraziare mio padre e tutta l'influenza musicale e culturale che mi ha donato nel corso degli anni. È proprio vero: la mela non cade mai lontana dall'albero.
January 27, 2016
Miles Davis, like many a creative soul, in fact like the majority of human beings, was a multi-facted personna. On one hand he was a near genius musician; an exemplary example of those rare talents who always continue to 'push the envelope' throughout their careers. He produced some of the greatest albums of the 20th century and managed to fuse two musical genres forming what we now refer to as 'fusion jazz. He was both god and demon. A man with drive and vision. All the individual bits that came together are found here in this book along with Miles Davis serial womaniser, his dis-like of racism, his narcotic abuses, his rages and intolerances.
It may not be the first or best biography of one of Jazz's most applauded son's but it is worth the read.
It may not be the first or best biography of one of Jazz's most applauded son's but it is worth the read.
July 20, 2013
This is the second time I've read this book. The first was in college. Of all the Davis bios I've read this is my favorite, especially now that I'm much more familiar with his entire body of work. Szwed presents a complete picture of the man, warts and all. You read about the drugs, his mistreatment of women, his ignoring of his family and so much more. You also gain insight into his works, his musical explorations, his painting. If you have any interest in Miles Davis at all skip the autobiography and start with this book.
January 27, 2013
Szwed has provided a good overview of Davis, his personal relationships and how they influenced his creative process, from formative years through his final days. As a musician, I was pleased with the attention to detail regarding the music itself.
June 27, 2007
I suppose my opinions of this would be different if I had read other miles bios before reading this. it was thorough, but full more of impressions than facts, and I liked it for that.
June 25, 2008
Gives great insight into his fascinating life and how all the bebop artists were connected.
September 23, 2011
In my opinion, the finest, most elegant biography of The Man yet.
Rich on historico-cultural aspect as well, the writer never underestimates his reader.
Highly recommended.
Rich on historico-cultural aspect as well, the writer never underestimates his reader.
Highly recommended.
February 9, 2012
Interesting bio of Miles Davis, although it suffers from too much of a "jazz-insider" viewpoint.
March 29, 2013
Very good --- Account of Davis' life and contributions to music. He was a bastard as is told in this well written account.
May 8, 2013
I think I need to fins another bio, because this one left me wanting more. I don't feel like I read anything personal about the man.
July 31, 2007
excellent
January 31, 2015
Well written. I have not read other miles bios to compare with it it I enjoyed it.
July 13, 2017
Color me impressed. Approaching it, I was a bit wary of 21st-century Miles Davis bio, expecting a coffee-table / Starbucks' crowd kind of fawning rewrite of history. Instead, this turns out to be a very fine book, written by a culture/music academic. The focus, then, is mainly on the music, as it should be. Miles' money and women problems take a back seat, but are still there if you want it. A very fine read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews