David Sylvian's Biography

Once voted the world's most beautiful man, David Sylvian established himself on the music scene as front man with the band Japan, who, after modelling themselves as glam-rockers, matured into perhaps the most individual representatives of the early Eighties synth-pop bands.

After Japan's demise, Sylvian released the widely-acclaimed Brilliant Trees in 1984. With it's eclectic blend of jazz, funk and the ethereal, the album was a foretaste of Sylvian's future musical style. A double-LP Gone to Earth followed in 1986 and various collaborations with the likes of Bill Nelson, Holgar Czukay, Robert Fripp and Ryuichi Sakamoto, produced an array of composition that showcases Sylvian's worth as both musician and composer.

Other forays into photography and film proved less successful and a brief reunion with other ex-Japan members, resulting in the album Rain Tree Crow (1991) proved to be merely a diversion along Sylvian's continuing road of self-discovery.

Everything and Nothing (2000) is a reflection of Sylvian's solo career and highlights the ever-changing pattern and diversification of his work.

David Sylvian broke up from his wife Ingrid Chavez, in 2005, after thirteen years.

In the 21st century David Sylvian has been busy with the group Nine Horses, which also includes Steve Jansen, and Burnt Friedman.

In September 2007, David Sylvian made a mini-tour of the UK, in which he performed numerous tracks from his early solo albums, Brilliant Trees and Secrets of the Beehive.

In September 2009, David Sylvian released Manafon.