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? - Miles Davis

Take it off! That's some sad __, man. In the first place, I hear some Charlie Parker cliches. . . . They don't even fit. Is that what the critics are digging? Them critics better stop having coffee. If there ain't nothing to listen to, they might as well admit it. Just to take something like that and say it's great, because there ain't nothing to listen to, that's like going out and getting a prostitute. [Leonard Feather: This man said he was influenced by Duke Ellington.] I don't give a ! It must be . Right? I don't care who he's inspired by. That __ ain't nothing. In the first place he don't have the - you know, the way you touch a piano. He doesn't have the touch that would make the sound of whatever he thinks of come off. I can tell he's influenced by Duke, but to put the loud pedal on the piano and make a run is very old-fashioned to me. And when the alto player sits up there and plays without no tone . . . That's the reason I don't buy any records.

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.

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!