Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis IIIwas 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. With his ever-changing directions in music, Davis was at the forefront of a number of major stylistic developments in jazz over his five-decade career...
ProfessionTrumpet Player
Date of Birth26 May 1926
CityAlton, IL
inspiration
All my inspiration comes from Ahmad Jamal.
music understood ifs
If you understood everything I say, you'd be me!
done legends miles
I know what I've done for music, but don't call me a legend. Just call me Miles Davis.
years giving one-day
At least one day out of the year all musicans should just put their instruments down, and give thanks to Duke Ellington.
worry jazz notes
Don't worry about playing a lot of notes. Just find one pretty one.
music men legends
A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I'm still doing it.
trying musician entertainers
I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am one thing, a musician.
thinking play giving
The music has gotten thick. Guys give me tunes and they're full of chords. I can't play them...I think a movement in jazz is beginning away from the conventional string of chords, and a return to emphasis on melodic rather than harmonic variation. There will be fewer chords but infinite possibilities as to what to do with them.
Always listen for what you can leave out.
firsts
First you imitate, then you innovate.
play notes
It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play.
years practice play
It took me twenty years study and practice to work up to what I wanted to play in this performance. How can she expect to listen five minutes and understand it?
mistake
Don't be afraid of mistakes - There are none.
play next notes
If you hit a wrong note, it's the next note that you play that determines if it's good or bad.