MALVIN “DINO” VICE - BIO. The career of this veteran music arranger/songwriter/producer begins in Tulsa, Oklahoma where “Dino” began his musical journey as a local musician. Dino began entertaining professionally at the age of twelve where he and Gap Band legend Charlie Wilson, along with some other childhood friends started their first performing band, “The Carver GTs” later to become “The Majestic Soul”, in 1965. The band performed at the local Y.M.C.A, private parties, teen hops, and nightclubs, and backed black music dignitaries performing at the larger venues. Additionally, this band was the warm up act for a Beach Boys concert at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in 1966 which initiated instant local appeal, and fans were awe struck at the professionalism of this group because of groups young members. By high school, the name of this band changed to The Spinadas (the name of a mild alcoholic beverage that flourished in the 70s). In their early teen years, Dino and Charlie were asked to fill-in for Charlie’s older brother (Ronnie Wilson, another Gap Band legend), and another musician in a group called The Magnificent Seven, which was co-founded by the older Wilson brother. Immediately, Dino and Charlie were recruited into this band, and continued to back black music dignitaries at the larger venues. Sam & Dave, The Ike & Tina Turner Review, Mel & Tim (Backfield In Motion), The Chi-Lites, Lowell Fulsom, Bobby Bland, Joe Simon, The Festivals, are to name a few of the many acts that were backed by this band. In 1971, Dino began his college career, and along with Charlie Wilson, was part of Langston University’s “US” Combo which was used as a tool in the College’s recruitment program, and gained instant fame on some of the nation’s high school and college campuses. During Dino’s college career, the Wilson Brothers (later to become The Gap Band), became Leon Russell’s touring band, and was given a recording contract with Russell’s, Shelter Records. Upon graduation from college, Dino became a member of another Tulsa local band, (Sunshine & Herbs), and coaxed the band into moving to the West Coast in search for better performing venues and a possible recording contract with a major company. It was in 1978, while Dino was performing with Sunshine & Herbs in Portland, Oregon that his childhood, and best friend Charlie Wilson called informing Dino that Gap Band had landed a recording contract Mercury Records, and wanted him to perform with Gap Band, and write horn & string arrangements for the group as well. Dino immediately moved to Los Angeles, and began performing with Gap Band (who at the time was D. J. Roger’s backup band), at venues in the area, and around the country as well. Dino wrote the horn arrangement for the 1st Gap Band hit “Shake”, and subsequently became in-house arranger for Total Experience/Polygram Records headed by Entrepreneur Lonnie Simmons. Dino began writing horn and string arrangements for all acts signed to Total Experience. Dino was given a producer’s contract with the company, and was one of the producers on the Yarbrough & Peoples album “The Two of Us” which contained the hit single, “Don’t Stop The Music”. Dino was also signed to Total Experience as a songwriter, and with Charlie Wilson, penned Gap Band II’s perennial “The Boys Are Back In Town”, which is an anthem for the group and their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dino wrote or co-wrote, arranged, or produced many of the popular songs coming from the label for all the acts signed to the company. Dino toured the world as a performer with Gap Band, playing trumpet, flugel horn, and keyboards and as a background vocalist. Dino, (who is now staff producer for Los Angeles based Play YoSong® Records, Inc., and Good Sense Productions), is still showing music muscle in the industry with his R & B rooted album, “The Malvin Dino Vice Project” which features best friend, Charlie Wilson, long time friend Victor “Widetrack” Hill, New artist ENDZ, and Denetra Chance. “This album was done in the name of keeping music real and the preservation of R & B”. Expect no less than excellent music from this gifted arranger/songwriter/producer as The Malvin Dino Vice Project is a strong indication that Dino, and his music will be around for many years to come. Click on title to listen. Depress spacebar to stop music play.