David Bowie Part 2: Jazz, Soul & Weddings (1993)

Jazz, Soul & Global Strategy – January 1993

πŸ“… 1993-01-08
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: 46th Birthday: Launching the Renaissance
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David celebrates his 46th birthday in private while finalizing the master tapes for his solo comeback. After the Tin Machine era, he is focused on a sophisticated fusion of jazz and electronic soul, marking his definitive return as a solo entity.
πŸ“… 1993-01-15
πŸ“ New York City, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Isolar Office

🎸 Event: Business Strategy: The Post-Tin Machine Plan
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David and his management finalize the promotional rollout for ‘Black Tie White Noise’. He decides against a world tour, opting instead for high-quality music videos and a television documentary to reach his global audience.
πŸ“… 1993-01-20
πŸ“ New York City, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Savage Records Headquarters

🎸 Event: Label Strategy: The Savage/Arista Deal
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David solidifies his partnership with the independent Savage Records in the US. This strategic move is intended to grant him more creative freedom over his marketing and visual output than a major label would traditionally allow.
πŸ“… 1993-01-31
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Strategic Transition
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes January having successfully moved away from the “band member” persona of Tin Machine. He prepares for a massive global press campaign to re-introduce himself to the public as the solo icon of the 90s.

Cinematic Visions & Electronic Soul – February 1993

πŸ“… 1993-02-05
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Abbey Road Studios

🎸 Event: Final Mastering: Black Tie White Noise
πŸ—’οΈ Note: Final adjustments are made to the album’s sound. Bowie ensures the balance between Nile Rodgers’ dance production and the experimental jazz elements, like Lester Bowie’s trumpet, is perfect for the lead single’s release.
πŸ“… 1993-02-15
πŸ“ Los Angeles, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Music Video Set

🎸 Event: Filming: Jump They Say Video Shoot
πŸ—’οΈ Note: Working with director Mark Romanek, David films the high-concept video for “Jump They Say”. The shoot features David in a corporate skyscraper, utilizing avant-garde imagery inspired by Jean-Luc Godard and Orson Welles.
πŸ“… 1993-02-28
πŸ“ Los Angeles, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Private Residence / Hotel

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Visual Identity Secured
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David finishes February having locked the visual aesthetic for the new era. He is revitalized by the collaboration with Romanek and feels the “businessman-gone-mad” imagery perfectly suits the new song’s themes.

Personal Ghosts & Chart Return – March 1993

πŸ“… 1993-03-08
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Arista Records / Press Junket

🎸 Event: Press Launch: Meeting the Media
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David begins an intensive round of interviews to promote the upcoming single. He speaks openly for the first time about the influence of his marriage and his brother Terry’s history on his new compositions.
πŸ“… 1993-03-15
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Radio 1 / Arista Records

🎸 Event: Single Release: Jump They Say
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The lead single is released. It is a deeply personal track about his step-brother Terry Burns. The song features a distinct jazz-infusion thanks to Lester Bowie’s trumpet, reaching the top 10 in the UK charts.
πŸ“… 1993-03-25
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ BBC Limehouse Studios

🎸 Event: TV Performance: Top of the Pops Appearance
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David performs the new single on the UK’s premier music show. This performance confirms his return to mainstream pop culture, showcasing a more relaxed and vocally powerful Bowie than seen in the late 80s.
πŸ“… 1993-03-31
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Savoy Hotel

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Commercial Re-establishment
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes March with a successful chart hit. The positive reception to “Jump They Say” proves that the public is ready for his solo return, setting the stage for the album release in April.

The Wedding Album & Loss of a Legend – April 1993

πŸ“… 1993-04-05
πŸ“ Worldwide
πŸ›οΈ Retail Outlets

🎸 Event: Album Release: Black Tie White Noise
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The 18th studio album is released, topping the UK charts. Produced by Nile Rodgers, it is a fusion of soul, jazz, and dance. The album is dedicated to his wife Iman, reflecting his personal stability and happiness.
πŸ“… 1993-04-12
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Radio Interviews

🎸 Event: Deep Dive: The Making of the Album
πŸ—’οΈ Note: Bowie conducts track-by-track interviews, explaining the importance of Mick Garson’s return on piano and his collaboration with Nile Rodgers. He describes the album as his most optimistic work since the early 70s.
πŸ“… 1993-04-29
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Private Location

🎸 Event: In Memoriam: The Death of Mick Ronson
πŸ—’οΈ Note: Bowie’s legendary collaborator Mick Ronson passes away from liver cancer. Their recent reunion on the track “I Feel Free” stands as their final work together. Bowie is devastated by the loss of his most important musical partner from the 70s.
πŸ“… 1993-04-30
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Triumph and Tragedy
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David ends April with a UK Number 1 album but in deep mourning for Mick Ronson. He begins a period of reflection on his legacy while continuing to promote the new record internationally.

Capturing the Performance – May 1993

πŸ“… 1993-05-08
πŸ“ Los Angeles, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Hollywood Center Studios

🎸 Event: Filming: The Black Tie White Noise Video Project
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David records a series of live-in-the-studio performances directed by David Mallet. These sessions, featuring Nile Rodgers and a full band, are designed to serve as a high-quality visual substitute for a traditional concert tour.
πŸ“… 1993-05-20
πŸ“ Los Angeles, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Interview Location

🎸 Event: Press: Reflecting on the New Sound
πŸ—’οΈ Note: Bowie participates in extensive press junkets. He emphasizes that the album’s jazz elements are a tribute to his early musical roots and his brother Terry’s influence, while the electronic soul sound reflects his current life in New York and Switzerland.
πŸ“… 1993-05-31
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Media Saturation
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes May having achieved global visibility without stepping on a concert stage. He feels vindicated by the album’s success and begins looking for a more “low-key” artistic challenge to balance the commercial hype.

Urban Realism & Global Duets – June 1993

πŸ“… 1993-06-01
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Arista Records / Radio Release

🎸 Event: Single Release: Black Tie White Noise
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The title track is released as the second single, featuring R&B singer Al B. Sure!. The song’s lyrics, inspired by the 1992 Los Angeles riots, explore racial harmony and identity, themes David feels strongly about following his marriage to Iman.
πŸ“… 1993-06-15
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ BBC Television Centre

🎸 Event: Collaboration: Meeting Hanif Kureishi
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David meets with author Hanif Kureishi to discuss music for the television adaptation of ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’. David is instantly captivated by the story’s themes of 1970s London life and decides to take on the project as a full studio effort.
πŸ“… 1993-06-30
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Private Meeting

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Creative Seeds Sown
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David ends June with a new project on the horizon. He realizes that the ‘Buddha’ soundtrack offers a way to revisit his past musically while using contemporary production techniques, sparking a new wave of creativity.

A Creative Turning Point – July 1993

πŸ“… 1993-07-10
πŸ“ Montreux, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Mountain Studios

🎸 Event: Studio Sessions: The Buddha of Suburbia
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David enters the studio with multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay. Working with rapid-fire speed, they record almost an entire album’s worth of material in just six days. David plays much of the instrumentation himself, including his beloved saxophone.
πŸ“… 1993-07-22
πŸ“ Montreux, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Mountain Studios

🎸 Event: Collaboration: Lenny Kravitz Guitar Session
πŸ—’οΈ Note: Lenny Kravitz joins the sessions to record guitar for the title track “The Buddha of Suburbia”. The session is energetic and spontaneous, adding a gritty rock element to the otherwise electronic and ambient-leaning project.
πŸ“… 1993-07-31
πŸ“ Montreux, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Mountain Studios

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Experimental Liberation
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David reflects on the ‘Buddha’ sessions as some of his most enjoyable in years. He feels liberated from the “pop star” expectations of the main album release and enjoys the low-pressure environment of a soundtrack project.

Industry Shifts & Mastering – August 1993

πŸ“… 1993-08-12
πŸ“ New York City, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Savage Records Office

🎸 Event: Financial Crisis: Savage Records Collapse
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David’s US label, Savage Records, begins to dissolve due to financial issues. This complicates the ongoing promotion of ‘Black Tie White Noise’ and forces David and his management to rethink their long-term distribution strategy.
πŸ“… 1993-08-25
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Abbey Road Studios

🎸 Event: Mastering: The Buddha of Suburbia LP
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The final tracks for the new project are mastered. David decides to release it as a standalone album rather than just a soundtrack, feeling that the music stands on its own as a significant artistic statement.
πŸ“… 1993-08-31
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Navigating Instability
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes August dealing with the fallout of his label’s bankruptcy. Despite the business stress, he remains artistically high after completing ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’, sensing he has found his way back to his avant-garde roots.

Industry Fallout & Strategic Silence – September 1993

πŸ“… 1993-09-10
πŸ“ New York City, πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA
πŸ›οΈ Isolar Office

🎸 Event: Business Crisis: The Collapse of Savage Records
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The bankruptcy of Savage Records in the US effectively halts the promotional momentum of ‘Black Tie White Noise’. David and his management begin the complex process of reclaiming his master tapes and searching for a more stable global distribution partner.
πŸ“… 1993-09-30
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Navigating the Void
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes September in a state of professional limbo. Despite the commercial frustration, he uses the time to focus on his private life and his growing interest in visual arts, while planning the release of his new experimental material.

Harlequins & Pop Aesthetics – October 1993

πŸ“… 1993-10-11
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Arista Records / Radio Release

🎸 Event: Single Release: Miracle Goodnight
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The third single from ‘Black Tie White Noise’ is released. The music video, directed by Matthew Rolston, features David in various costumesβ€”including a harlequinβ€”symbolizing his willingness to revisit his past personas in a playful, modern context.
πŸ“… 1993-10-25
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ BBC Television Centre

🎸 Event: Television Premiere: The Buddha of Suburbia Series
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The BBC series ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ premieres. David’s music, which seamlessly blends with the 1970s setting and Hanif Kureishi’s narrative, receives immediate critical acclaim for its atmosphere and authenticity.
πŸ“… 1993-10-31
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Artistic Diversification
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David ends October having successfully balanced a bright pop single with a gritty television soundtrack. He is increasingly confident that his future lies in following his avant-garde instincts rather than chasing radio hits.

A Hidden Masterpiece – November 1993

πŸ“… 1993-11-08
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Retail Release / Arista

🎸 Event: Album Release: The Buddha of Suburbia
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David releases ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ in the UK. Although marketed as a soundtrack, David insists it is a proper studio album. It is his most experimental work since ‘Low’, featuring ambient textures and complex structures that baffle critics but delight long-time fans.
πŸ“… 1993-11-22
πŸ“ Worldwide
πŸ›οΈ Home Video Release

🎸 Event: Video Release: Black Tie White Noise (Film)
πŸ—’οΈ Note: The long-form video directed by David Mallet is released on VHS. It includes the interviews and studio performances recorded earlier in the year, providing a definitive visual document of Bowie’s 1993 philosophy.
πŸ“… 1993-11-30
πŸ“ Montreux, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Mountain Studios

🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Personal Satisfaction
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes November citing ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ as one of his favorite albums. He is unbothered by its lack of commercial success, valuing the creative breakthrough it represents for his songwriting.

Award Recognition & Eno Reunion – December 1993

πŸ“… 1993-12-15
πŸ“ London, πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom
πŸ›οΈ Grosvenor House Hotel

🎸 Event: Awards: Ivor Novello Recognition
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David is honored with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to British Music’ award. In his acceptance, he remains forward-looking, already planning his next project which involves a reunion with a key 70s collaborator.
πŸ“… 1993-12-28
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Creative Planning: The Eno Discussions
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David begins concrete discussions with Brian Eno about a new conceptual project. They decide to meet early in 1994 to begin improvisational sessions, aiming to create a “non-linear Gothic drama.”
πŸ“… 1993-12-31
πŸ“ Lausanne, πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­ Switzerland
πŸ›οΈ Clos des MΓ©sanges

🎸 Event: Year-End Review: The Bridge Year
πŸ—’οΈ Note: David concludes 1993 having successfully navigated his return as a solo artist. He has moved from the soul and jazz of ‘Black Tie White Noise’ back to his experimental roots with ‘Buddha’, setting the stage for the industrial sounds of the mid-90s.
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