Miles Davis Quotes

Knowledge is freedom and ignorance is slavery.

Being rebellious and black, a nonconformist, being cool and hip and angry and sophisticated and ultra clean, whatever else you want to call it — I was all those things and more. But I was playing the fuck out of my horn and had a great group, so I didn't get recognition based only on a rebel image.

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

Don't play what's there; play what's not there.

Davis: I didn’t grow up with any, not as friends, to speak of. But I went to school with some. In high school, I was the best in the music class on the trumpet. I knew it and all the rest knew it — but all the contest first prizes went to the boys with blue eyes. It made me so mad I made up my mind to outdo anybody white on my horn. If I hadn’t met that prejudice, I probably wouldn’t have had as much drive in my work. I have thought about that a lot. I have thought that prejudice and curiosity have been responsible for what I have done in music.

Do not fear mistakes - there are none.

Si no pudiera descubrir o enriquecer el arte, encontrar nuevos enfoques, me sentiría culpable de estar vivo. Preferiría la muerte a la ausencia de creación. No tendría ninguna razón para vivir si no pudiera crear, digamos, una composición. No que le guste a alguien, sino que me satisfaga, que les guste a mis amigos. Que me digan: 'Sí, Miles, qué bueno'. Sin eso, no querría vivir. Sé que es egoísta, ¡pero los genios son egoístas!

My ego only needs a good rhythm section.

If you understood everything I said, you’d be me

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.

I know what I’ve done for music, but don’t call me “a legend”.(…) A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I’m still doing it.

The only thing I'm interested in is the music and the musicians. I don't acknowledge applause 'cause I'm giving them something. They're not giving me anything with their applause. Can I write that down?

When you are creating your own shit, man, even the sky ain't the limit.

See, music is about style.

If you sacrifice your art because of some woman, or some man, or for some color, or for some wealth, you can't be trusted.