I once went to a Miles Davis concert when I was 17, where I met all of the musicians, except him. I was too intimidated by him. But I love his playing, and I love the creative drive that he somehow challenged us all to strive for. Like my other quote posts, this one has three quotes. One general, one music-specific and one trumpet-specific. This time they’re all by Miles.

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, Miles: The Autobiography

Don’t play what’s there; play what’s not there.
― Miles Davis

Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the motherfucker who plays it is 80 percent.
― Miles Davis