Miles Davis (1926–1991) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th century music. Davis adopted a variety of musical directions in a five-decade career that kept him at the forefront of many major stylistic developments in jazz. From bebop to hard bop, cool jazz to fusion to funk, Davis’s influence was immense. He was renowned for his bold, melodic improvisations, his creative use of modal harmony, and his discernment in assembling and directing top-flight ensembles.
| Name | Miles Davis |
| Born | May 26 1925 |
| Genre | Jazz, Rock, Blues, Classical, Funk, Soul |
| Instruments | Trumpet, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Percussion |
| Labels | Columbia, Warner Bros, Polydor, Capitol |
| Notable Works | Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, Bitches Brew, The Man with the Horn |
10 Best Miles Davis Quotes
“If somebody told me I had only one hour to live, I’d spend it choking a white man. I’d do it nice and slow.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“It’s not the world that was my oppressor, because what the world does to you, if the world does something to you and you let it, then you are the one who is oppressing yourself.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“I want to hear something new. I always want to be first with something. I don’t want to be second.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“You can’t change the world with a horn.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“If you understand what you’re doing, you don’t have to be a genius. You just have to say what you want to say and be able to play it.”
– Miles Davis, from Interview Magazine
“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.”
– Miles Davis, from Interview Magazine
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.”
– Miles Davis, from Interview Magazine
“I’ve always been a great believer in playing what you feel and what you want to play.”
– Miles Davis, from Interview Magazine
“I was always looking for new sounds and colors.”
– Miles Davis, from Interview Magazine
“Music is about listening, the more you play, the more the magic spreads.”
– Miles Davis, from All About Jazz
6 Inspirational Miles Davis Quotes
“I have to change, because I can’t stand to stay the same.”
– Miles Davis, from All About Jazz
“Do not fear mistakes—there are none.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.”
– Miles Davis, from Jazzwise
“When you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that makes it good or bad.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“Play what you know, then play above it. Don’t play what other people know.”
– Miles Davis, from All About Jazz
6 Famous Miles Davis Quotes
“Do not fear mistakes, there are none.”
– Miles Davis, from BrainyQuote
“Time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing.”
– Miles Davis, from Goodreads
“You have to change with it. That’s what it’s all about.”
– Miles Davis, from BrainyQuote
“I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning… Every day I find something creative to do with my life.”
– Miles Davis, from Goodreads
“I’ll play it first and tell you what it is later.”
– Miles Davis, from BrainyQuote
“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.”
– Miles Davis, from Goodreads
8 Miles Davis Quotes About Love
“I’m a romantic, and I believe in love. I think it’s the greatest thing there is.”
– Miles Davis, from GQ
“I think that love is the most important thing in the world. I think it’s the only thing that really makes the world go around.”
– Miles Davis, from Rolling Stone
“Love is the best thing there is. It’s the only thing that matters.”
– Miles Davis, from The Telegraph
“Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; love is a flower, you got to let it grow.”
– Miles Davis, from Vogue
“Love will make you do anything that you want to do. Love will make you think different. Love will make you act different.”
– Miles Davis, from All About Jazz
“Real love is the unconditional kind. I’ve seen it, and it’s the greatest thing there is.”
– Miles Davis, from The Telegraph
“Love is a very wonderful thing. It’s all about caring for someone else and about them caring for you.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“Love is the most important thing in life. Without it, there’s nothing.”
– Miles Davis, from The Telegraph
7 Miles Davis Quotes About Life
“I think a lot of people play music to get away from life. But music itself is life.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“I’m always looking for something new. I’m always looking to see what I can find out about music.”
– Miles Davis, from NPR
“I don’t care about no damn critics. I’ve got to live with myself, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“You can’t copy the past. You can hear it, but you can’t copy it.”
– Miles Davis, from All About Jazz
“If you understood everything I said, you’d be me!”
– Miles Davis, from The Guardian
“I’m always changing, always evolving, always trying to find something new.”
– Miles Davis, from NPR
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”
– Miles Davis, from JazzTimes
5 Quotes About Miles Davis
“Miles Davis was one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. His influence is so widespread that it can’t be measured.”
– Wynton Marsalis, from NPR
“Miles Davis was a genius. He was a master of melody and harmony, a master of improvisation, a master of band leading and a master of style.”
– Herbie Hancock, from Grammy
“Miles Davis was an innovator, a visionary and a true artist. His influence continues to be felt throughout the world today.”
– Quincy Jones, from Grammy
“Miles Davis was a revolutionary who changed the way we think about music. His innovations continue to inspire musicians and fans alike.”
– John McLaughlin, from Jazz Times
“Miles Davis was a musical genius who defined a generation and changed the way music is heard and played.”
– Carlos Santana, from Grammy
Interview with Miles Davis
Frequently Asked Questions About Miles Davis
1. What is the most famous Miles Davis quote?
Miles Davis was an iconic American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. His impressive career spanned more than five decades, and his influence on jazz and music as a whole is undeniable. Throughout his lifetime, he has given us many memorable quotes that are still relevant today. Here are some of the most famous Miles Davis quotes:
- “When you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that makes it good or bad.”
- “Do not fear mistakes. There are none.”
- “Time isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing.”
- “Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.”
- “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
Many believe the most famous Miles Davis quote is “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” This quote speaks to the mysterious and elusive nature of jazz music, something that can’t be easily explained or understood. It also speaks to the power of music and how it can capture the imagination and evoke emotions in ways that words can’t.
2. How did Miles Davis influence jazz music?
Miles Davis was one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. His pioneering work in the bebop and cool jazz movements of the 1950s and his later influence on the jazz fusion genre made him one of the most recognizable figures in jazz. Here are some of the ways that Miles Davis influenced jazz music:
- He was an early adopter of the bebop style, which focused on complex harmonies and improvisation.
- Davis was a leader in the development of the cool jazz sound, which emphasized a more laid-back approach to jazz.
- He was a major innovator in the jazz fusion movement of the 1970s, combining jazz with elements of rock, funk, and other styles.
- Davis was a major influence on many of the jazz greats who followed, including John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter.
- His influence can still be heard in the work of contemporary jazz musicians.
Miles Davis’s influence on jazz music is undeniable. His innovative approach to the genre helped shape the sound of jazz for generations to come.
3. What was the title of the most popular album by Miles Davis?
Miles Davis is considered one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and he has released a plethora of critically acclaimed albums throughout his career. However, his most popular album is undoubtedly Kind of Blue. Released in 1959, Kind of Blue is often cited as the best-selling jazz album ever, and is credited with helping to define the genre of jazz for generations.
- Kind of Blue (1959)
4. What were some of Miles Davis’ most notable awards?
Miles Davis was one of the most influential jazz musicians in history, and was recognized with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Some of his most notable awards include:
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1990)
- Polar Music Prize (1992)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2006)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2009)
- National Medal of Arts (2010)
5. How did Miles Davis Inspire Other Musicians?
Miles Davis was a legendary jazz musician who not only revolutionized the genre but also inspired many other musicians. He was an innovator who pushed the boundaries of jazz, creating new sounds and techniques. Here are some of the ways in which he has inspired other musicians:
- Miles Davis was an early adopter of electric instruments, which allowed him to create a unique sound. This inspired other jazz musicians, such as Herbie Hancock, to experiment with electric instruments, which eventually came to dominate the genre.
- Miles Davis was a master improviser, able to create stunning solos on the spot. This inspired other jazz musicians to push their improvisational skills, resulting in some of the most complex and exciting solos ever heard in jazz.
- Miles Davis was one of the first jazz musicians to explore the possibilities of free jazz, where musicians could push the boundaries of the genre and create something entirely new. This inspired other musicians to explore the possibilities of free jazz, resulting in some of the most creative and innovative music ever created.
- Miles Davis was an innovator in the use of studio technology, which allowed him to create some of the most unique and experimental sounds in jazz. This inspired other musicians to explore the possibilities of studio technology, resulting in some of the most groundbreaking and influential recordings in jazz.
- Miles Davis was an icon and a visionary, whose influence went far beyond the music he created. He inspired many other musicians to follow their own creative paths, to take risks and push the boundaries of their art. This legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians today.
Conclusion
Miles Davis was a pioneer of jazz music and a master of improvisation. His influence on the genre of jazz and the way he blended traditional jazz with elements of other genres is unparalleled. His influence on popular music and culture is still felt today, and his music remains one of the most influential in history. His legacy of experimentation and creativity lives on, and his influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.
