Miles Davis, and Jazz as Religion: The Politics of Social Music Culture

by Earnest N. Bracey

Overview

This book about Miles Dewey Davis is more psychologically driven than a straight biography; but it does cover his musical career, as well his spirituality as a jazz musician. Davis rocketed to jazz fame as a trumpeter, making a plethora of jazz recordings during his life time; and his music kept the “jazz world” on edge for almost fifty years. This book also discusses Davis’s religion, politics, civil rights activism, and his personal struggles as a Black man in the United States.

Miles Davis and Jazz as Religion: The Politics of Social Music also shows how Miles Davis made a political statement, as he challenged racial stereotypes in jazz or “social music.” Artistically, Davis was able to integrate rock, jazz, classical music, rap and blues, in his music, as he had a passion for changing his “social music.” In this regard, Miles Davis’s music was important to him intellectually, spiritually, and psychologically, because he wanted to make his musical contributions count.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781793653611
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Earnest N. Bracey is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and Professor of Political Science and Black American History at the College of Southern Nevada.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Evolution of Miles Davis’s Social Music

Chapter 2: The Start: Of Youth and Old Music Men

Chapter 3: Band Members: Turning Ideas into Music

Chapter 4: The Art of Stage Presence

Chapter 5: Of Missed Notes and Technique

Chapter 6: The Man and his Horn

Chapter 7: Of Spanish Music, Cool Jazz and Style

Chapter 8: Of Politics and Civil Rights

Chapter 9: The Meaning of His Blues

Chapter 10: Europe or Bust: Concerts and Touring

Chapter 11: In Love with Paris

Chapter 12: The Twilight of Avant-Garde

Chapter 13: Fusion: The Heart of the Matter

Chapter 14: Drugs and Retirement

Chapter 15: The Catalytic Return

Chapter 16: Transformations

Chapter 17: The New Music

Chapter 18: Of Critics and Jazz Purists

Chapter 19: Montreux and Death

Chapter 20: After an Ending

Chapter 21: In a Quiet Way