Some thoughts from a Bill Evans interview.
On following trends:
‘if you try to follow what going on around you, you’ll get confused.’ (don’t let trends dictate your music)
“perfect your own art and hopefully there’ll be room for it.” (tremendous, realistic advice)
Thought this was interesting because he was a misfit regarding piano trends and was criticized but emerged as a leading voice in the art of jazz.
Mostly it commented on the reality of life. Do your best and maybe it’ll work out. No guarantees.
Doesn’t diminish the quality or innovation in what you did. It just means you didn’t make any money.