4. Burning Down the House

Clarke Peters explores a period of radical disruption as Miles Davis, the King of Cool, sets his legacy on fire.

By the late 1960s, the jazz world had become too safe, and Miles felt the heat of his "blue flame" inviting him toward the unknown once again. Inspired by the raw energy of Jimi Hendrix and the psychedelic funk of Sly Stone, Miles plugged in his horn, traded his Italian suits for leather trousers, and entered his most controversial era - the "Prince of Darkness".

Clarke investigates the high-stakes gamble behind the 1970 masterpiece Bitches Brew, an album that jazz purists initially dismissed as a "cacophonic mess" that would kill his career . Yet, while the establishment recoiled, Miles was busy inventing the future - laying the DNA for everything from rock to hip-hop. This was a time of extreme creative hunger and personal chaos, marked by a mysterious shooting in Brooklyn and a reckless life in the fast lane that eventually took a heavy physical toll.

From the studio to the massive stage at the Isle of Wight, Clarke reveals how Miles’ refusal to stand still, changed the sound of the 20th century yet again.

Narrator and longtime fan Clarke Peters (The Wire, Treme) explores the restless genius and radical evolution of Miles Davis. Across five episodes, Clarke traces a 50 year odyssey of constant reinvention - from a teenage outsider in 1944 to a global icon who redefined what it meant to be Black, to be cool, and to be an artist.

Blending archival recordings with fresh perspectives, the series reveals how Miles’ "take no shit" attitude and aesthetic fearlessness influenced everyone from rock stars to Oscar-winning filmmakers. Yet, Clarke also grapples with the darker truths of Miles’ legacy, including the substance issues and domestic abuse that left a trail of pain for those closest to him. It is a searching investigation into an artist capable of the most sublime beauty and the most brutal behaviour - a man who refused to be palatable, refused to be a "legend", and simply refused to stop moving forward.

Tracks Featured:

Trevere - Miles Davis

Milestones - MIles Davis

Iris - Wayne Shorter

Stella By Starlight - Victor Young

In a Silent Way - Joe Zawinul

Bitches Brew - Miles Davis

Pharoah's Dance - Bennie Maupin

John McLaughlin - Miles Davis

Sanctuary - Wayne Shorter

Miles Runs the Voodoo Down - MIles Davis

It's about that Time - Joe Zawinul

Right Off - MIles Davis

Yesternow - MIles Davis

Directions - MIles Davis

Presenter: Clarke Peters

Series Producer: Clem Hitchcock

Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar

Editor: Kirsten Lass

Production Manager: Emily Duffy

Music Consultant: Guy Barker

Additional Music by Guy Barker, James Pearson and Joseph Tzabar

Archivist: Simon Rooks

Script Consultant: Anne Harbin

Technical Production and Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Commissioning Editors for the BBC: Dan Clarke and Matthew Dodd