INNER CITY ALL STARS: Bio

Calvin Sexton - Band Leader, Front man, Composer, Arranger, trombonist

Hometown:
Birmingham, Alabama


Education:
University of North Texas, Alumni 2003
Bachelors of Music Performance

Calvin Sexton is the founding member and band leader of the Inner City All Stars which . His talents includes arranging and composing music, booking and managing the band, and being a high energy front man for the band. Mr. Sexton alumni of the University of North Texas where he earned his bachelors degree in Music Performance in 2003

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Calvin began yearned to play music. At the age of 12 he earned money to buy his first trombone by working at the Legion Field football Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama where he sold drinks, and hot dogs. He began his studies with Mr. Jose Carr, band teacher at Bush Middle School. His hard work ethic followed him to begin taking private lessons with Dr. Ron Horton, Music Professor at Birmingham-Southern College. Later, he performed with the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jothan Callins, where he began studying jazz. After attending Thompson High School in Alabaster Alabama, Calvin earned a scholarship to continue his studies at the University of North Texas, with Dr. Vern Kagarice, Professor Tony Baker. His studies led him to winning the UNT Concerto Competition. While in college, he had opportunities to perform in master classes that include: Christian Lindberg, Jay Friedman, Alain Trudel, and Heinz Fadle

Calvin’s professional career is very diverse. Financial issues led him to withdraw from school. His withdraw led him to San Jose, California in 2001. Mr. Sexton became an Assistant Music Teacher at the Music School of Sunnyvale, CA. Later he joined the 153 local Musicians’ Union and began performing with Blues legend, Lady Bo, Mark Russo, Cathedral of Faith Church San Jose, and Jubilee Community Church San Jose, Brass arranger for Churches, El Camino Symphony Palo Alto, CA; Jazz at Pearls Big Band San Francisco, and theater shows and Community Big Bands around the Area.

Later he began working for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises to earn money and return to college to earn his degree in 2003. Other professional experiences have allowed him to record with Erykah Badu, and perform on the same stage with Earl Klugh, Stanley Turrentine, Gladys Knight, and Brave Combo. He also performed at many churches that include St. Emmanuel Baptist Church Denton, TX, and New Beginnings Church in Irving, TX

Calvin’s activities are much broader than only performing music. Calvin was an award winning swimmer with the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Eagle Scout, and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. In college, he was an interim-president of the National Pan-Hellenic council at the University of North Texas, President of the APBM (Association of Professional Black Musicians) student organization, in which he assisted in organizing and booking world famous opera singer, Denyce Graves, to the campus. He also organized performances and showcases for the community awareness of the arts. Later he began his own business, Inner City All Stars/ Brighter Star Music, which he contracts musicians for performances and books the Inner City All Stars.

David Seip - Tuba/Sousaphone

Hometown:
Anoka, Minnesota


Education
Wichita State University, Alumni 2004
Bachelor of Music

David Seip has played the tuba for 13 years. Hailing from Minnesota, Dave performed in band, orchestra, brass quintets, and even on stage in a musical before graduating and moving to Wichita, Kansas, receiving a bachelor of music degree in 2004. Dave spent several years at the University of North Texas before becoming involved with the Inner City All-Stars.

Dave has been involved in the marching arts and drum and bugle corps since
high school, spending four years in marching band before moving on to march
with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps of La Crosse, Wisconsin, for four
years, earning two world championships on the field and one as an individual
soloist. He has taught and marched for the Frontier Drum & Bugle Corps of
Dallas, Texas, and has also taught the Blue Stars and the Teal Sound Drum &
Bugle Corps of Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to teaching experience
with drum corps, Dave has taught private lessons in tuba and euphonium for
six years to students of all levels. He has also instructed small brass ensembles under the Open Range Brass program, a group formed under the umbrella of the Frontier Performing Arts Association.

Dave has extensive performing experience in all settings and styles, from
years spent in concert bands, wind ensembles, marching bands and drum corps,
and orchestras; to being involved in several students brass quintets of reasonable longevity; to performing in the brass band at UNT; and culminating in his playing with the Inner City All-Stars. All the previous experiences of his life play a role in giving him the talent, skill, and drive to perform on stage with the band on a regular basis in all settings.