"My playing started to develop through the Miles Davis stuff I was listening to"

Robert Quine expresses a profound acknowledgment of the direct influence Miles Davis had on his musical evolution. By attributing his own artistic development to the Davis material he immersed himself in, Quine reveals the powerful impact of mentorship, even from afar, and highlights the catalytic power of absorbing another artist’s body of work. Davis, a figure notorious for his restlessness and constant reinvention, serves as both muse and teacher for Quine, sharpening his ear not just to technical prowess but, more importantly, to the philosophy of risk-taking and evolution in music.

Quine’s “playing started to develop” signals more than mere imitation; it points to a transformation in his musical perception. Listening to Miles Davis is not simply about digesting melodies or licks. It’s about being swept into a world where nuance, space, and tension are celebrated; where silence is as meaningful as what is played. Davis’s music encouraged generations of musicians to break boundaries and question the orthodoxy of their genres. For Quine, a guitarist hailing from the punk and new wave realms, Davis’s approach probably validated both improvisation and individual expression, reaffirming that true musicianship is about forging a path and breaking through technical or stylistic limitations.

Furthermore, Quine’s specific invocation of “the Miles Davis stuff” suggests an ongoing journey rather than a single revelatory moment. His exposure to Davis’s extensive, ever-changing discography broadened his approach not just to jazz structures but to music itself, composition, texture, layering of sound and emotion. He invites listeners and fellow musicians to appreciate how being open to another artist’s vision can trigger one’s own artistic rebirth. The statement is a testament to the enduring influence of great innovators like Davis and a reminder that artistic growth is often sparked by deep, attentive listening.