Mart Avant: Trumpet, Arranger
Founding member of The Tuscaloosa Horns graduated in 1980 with a B.M. in arranging from the University of Alabama. Named outstanding soloist at the Kentonian Jazz Festival, Mart quickly moved into the studios of Birmingham, Al. as an arranger for horns & strings. The Tuscaloosa Horns were merged with Slo-Gin 60'sband in the fall of 1981. Slo-Gin still enjoys great success around the region. Avant was the staff brass arranger for Southwind Drum & Bugle corp. from 1983-1993 winning DCI division II championship with "The Little Mermaid" & "Robinhood". Mart began contracting for the Tuscaloosa Horns with the Temptations, 4 Tops, Frankie Valli, and Martha Reeves in 1984. That list has been continuously expanding and now includes Frankie Avalon, Kenny Rogers, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Fabian, Lou Christie, The Tommy Dorsey Band, Guy Lombardo, Peter Duchin Orchestra, & Denny LeRoux Orchestra. Locally Mart directs the Alabama Cavaliers Alumni Big Band as well as the Night Flight Jazz Quintet. He also Subs both the lead and jazz chairs in several area big bands. Under his leadership, The Tuscaloosa Horns have gained a reputation or precision and quality that currently has them first call with The Temptations at many of their performances through the country. In January 1999, as a member and co-founder of The Tuscaloosa Horns, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Music Achievers.
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