Mart Avant - Trumpet & Arranger

Mart Avant was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall Of Fame in 2015. With a degree in Arranging from the University of Alabama — under the tutelage of legendary jazz instructor/arranger Steve Sample — Mart got off to a quick start writing horn and string charts for first HBO TV opening segment ever produced! He jump-started a career on trumpet and flugelhorn as well — being named Outstanding Jazz Soloist at the Tri-State Jazz Festival in 1979.

In 1980 he co-founded the Tuscaloosa Horns, a collective of musicians at-the-ready for traveling acts like the Temptations and Four Tops as their tours wind through the Southeast. Over the years the T-Horns have supported The O'Jays, Frankie Valli, Martha Reeves, The Tommy Dorsey Band, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Natalie Cole, Melissa Etheridge, and many others.

Mart, together with the Tuscaloosa Horns, was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Music Achievers in 1999. They also received a star on the Alabama Music Walk Of Fame.

In 2000, Mart founded the Night Flight Big Band as a rehearsal group that initially played twice a month at the iconic Birmingham jazz club Ona's Music Room. Comprised mainly of Tuscaloosa Horns and regional guests, with area rhythm section members, this band gained a reputation of successfully sight-reading major big band literature in front of a live audience. Out of this group sprung many projects and live performances, and it is also the nucleus of this BBOB personnel. Night Flight is still active, as our collective tour schedules will allow.

Mart currently writes arrangements for, and tours with, country star Jamey Johnson.  That is, in addition to his continuing duties as contractor and player with the Tuscaloosa Horns.