Reviews
"The definitive Mingus biography."
— The Boston Book Review
The best examination yet of an American original."
— The Washington Post
"As Mingus's story unfolds, Santoro keeps the backbeat with perspectives on the socio-political churnings over those years, all of which affected Mingus's life and music… Santoro is on target, and his writing… soars."
— The Boston Globe
"This is a biography as gargantuan in scope and ambition as Mingus himself, and highly recommended."
— The Seattle Times
"Santoro brings his readers into the mind of this conflicted genius."
— The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Written with the elegant hand of an experienced journalist and the insight of a musician with first-rate ears, the book accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of casting a revealing light upon the inner life of its enigmatic subject."
— Los Angeles Times
The great bassist and composer's wild, turbulent life [is] wonderfully captured by Santoro… In sharp and lively prose, [he] digs deep into Mingus' past to sort out the strands of his life..."