Miles Davis Quotes

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926–1991)

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Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991) was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer.

Bio from: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pen Names: Cleo Henry

Alternative Names: Miles Dewey Davis III • Miles Dewey Davis, III Davis • Miles Dewey Davis Jr

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If you love them in the morning with their eyes full of crust; if you love them at night with their hair full of rollers, chances are, you're in love.

My ego only needs a good rhythm section.

When I got into music I went all the way into music; I didn't have no time after that for nothing else.

Music is an addiction.

See, music is about style.

When you’re creating your own shit, man, even the sky ain’t the limit.

you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.

It’s like, how did Columbus discover America when the Indians were already here? What kind of shit is that, but white people’s shit?

Man, sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself.

"You can't play anything on a horn that Louis hasn't played." and "I love Pops" (Louis' nickname) … Louis has been through all kinds of styles. That's good tuba, by the way. You know you can't play anything on a horn that Louis hasn't played — I mean even modern. I love his approach to the trumpet; he never sounds bad. He plays on the beat — with feeling. That's another phrase for swing. I also love the way he sings.

He could very well be the Duke Ellington of Rock 'n' Roll.

Philly Joe was a bitch. If he'd been a lawyer and white, he would have been president of the United States, because in order to get there you gotta talk fast and carry a lot of bullshit with you; Philly had it all and a lot to spare.

If you don't know what to play, play nothing.

Billie Holiday—she was the nicest woman in the world, you know. All she wanted to do was sing. They picked on her and picked on her to get money out of her. You do drugs 'cause you like to, not 'cause it's a life-style.... They picked on Billie so much. She said, "Miles, come and see me in Long Island." She was in love with one of my kids and his curly hair—he used to ride my bicycle and watch the horse at Aqueduct. She said, "Miles, if they'd just leave me alone; they could have the house—everything." You know the way singers shake their asses now. Billie didn't have to do that. Her mouth was so sensuous; she was pretty and she would say certain words and her mouth would quiver, and she always had this white gardenia and long gloves.

I'm a fiend when it comes to good pastry, and the French make the best as far as I'm concerned.