Clarence Alexander Avant was born on 25 February 1931, in Climax, North Carolina USA, and is a film producer, entrepreneur, and music executive, best known for being called the “Godfather of Black Music”, responsible for creating joint ventures between African-American artists and major record labels. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Clarence Avant? As of mid-2017, sources estimate a net worth that is at $10 million, mostly earned through a successful career in the music industry. He has helped produce numerous projects, and worked with several major record labels. He founded Avant Garde Broadcasting and all of his achievements have ensured the position of his wealth.
Clarence Avant Net Worth $10 million
Clarence attended Dudley High School for two years and then moved to New Jersey in 1947, after which he worked as a stock clerk for Macy’s. In the 1950s, he found opportunity in the music industry when he became part of Teddy P’s Lounge as a manager. He was mentored by Joseph G. Joe Glaser who was the founder of the Associated Booking Corporation, and the Consolidated Booking Corporation. Later on, Clarence would start managing singers such as Tom Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Little Willie John, and also Lalo Schifrin and Jimmy Smith.
In 1967, Avant helped incorporate Venture Records Inc. which would lead to the first successful venture between an African-American artist and a major record company. The company was run by William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Avant had to move to Beverly Hills to work for the company, for two years until MGM Records shut the label down. Despite that, he earned a good salary and his net worth increased. He became an associate producer and started several stage projects, including in the same year founding Sussex Records in Los Angeles, and it would run for six years until shut down by the IRS. During the run of Sussex, they had artists such as Bill Withers and Dennis Coffey, but there was controversy that the company had ripped-off several artists by not paying royalties.
In 1971 Clarence founded Avant Garde Broadcasting, Inc. and would also buy an FM radio station in Los Angeles, the first owned by an African-American. The company, however, never really became profitable and was forced into bankruptcy in 1975. Afterwards, he continued with other projects such as working with Paramount Pictures for “Save the Children”. He was rewarded by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences the Trustees Award in 2008. In 2016, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame thanks to his contributions to the recording industry.
For his personal life, it is known that Avant married Jacqueline Alberta Gray in 1967 and they have a son and a daughter. Jacqueline served on the board of directors of the UCLA International Student Center, and was also the entertainment chairman of the NOW benefit auction and NOW membership.
NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award, The BET Honors Entrepreneur Award
Movies
Jason's Lyric, Stalingrad
#
Fact
1
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6363 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 7, 2016.
2
His daughter, Nicole Avant, became the 13th United States Ambassador to the Bahamas on October 22, 2009. She was appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama on June 16, 2009, and September 13, 2009.
3
His wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Avant, served as president of the Neighbors of Watts, a support group for the South Central Community Child Care Center (1974), entertainment chairperson of the NOW benefit auction and dinner dance, and chairperson of NOW membership (1975). She's also on the board of directors of the International Student Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jason's Lyric
1994
executive producer
New Attitude
1990
TV Series producer - 1 episode
Stalingrad
1990
producer
Livin' Large
1989
TV Movie co-producer
Heart and Soul
1988
TV Movie co-executive producer
Deliver Us from Evil
1975
executive producer
Save the Children
1973
Documentary executive producer
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Color Purple
1985
African Musician
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Crackula Goes to Hollywood
2015
special thanks
VH1 Rock Docs
2010
TV Series very special thanks - 1 episode
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
thanks
Krush Groove
1985
thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The BET Honors
2013
TV Movie
Himself
Don Cornelius: Visionary, Trailblazer & Cultural Icon
2012
TV Movie
Himself
Searching for Sugar Man
2012
Documentary
Himself - Former Chairman of Motown Records
41st NAACP Image Awards
2010
TV Special
Himself
Still Bill
2009
Documentary
Himself
Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones
1990
Documentary
Himself
Soul Train
1973
TV Series documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Recording
On October 7, 2016. At 6363 Hollywood Blvd.
2010
Hall of Fame
Image Awards
Known for movies
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) as Himself - Former Chairman of Motown Records