Clarence Avant, Known As ‘The Godfather Of Black Music,’ Dies At 92

Clarence Avant, a music industry legend whose work in entertainment earned him the nickname the “Godfather of Black Music,” has died. He was 92.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Avant died Sunday in his Los Angeles home. His family confirmed the news of his passing in a statement. Avant’s death comes almost two years after a home intruder fatally shot his wife, philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, in December 2021. Their children are Nicole Avant, a former U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas and wife of Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos, and Alexander Avant, a producer and talent rep.

“Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come,” the Avant family said in the statement. “The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss.”

To say Avant’s resume is impressive would be an understatement. During his career, he managed Sarah Vaughan, Jimmy Smith, Lalo Schifrin and Freddie Hubbard and played an integral role in selling Stax Records in the 1960s. He discovered and signed Bill Withers in the 1970s, co-promoted Michael Jackson’s first solo world tour in the 1980s, and was chair of Motown’s board in the 1990s.

Avant also mentored and advised many producers, executives and artists in the music industry, including Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and many more.

“He’s a teacher, he’s a master communicator, he’s the perfect marriage between street sense and common sense,” Richie said of Avant when he won the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, The Hollywood Reporter reported. “What he did for us, the sons and daughters of the Afro American community, he brought us some understanding of what the music business was all about.”

Jones has also been vocal about how pivotal Avant was in his career.

“He’s always told me the damn truth in all aspects of my life,” he said at Avant’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2016, the outlet mentioned. “He’s also been the silent architect of so many deals it would make your head spin. He gets things done but doesn’t beat his chest or look for credit.”

Netflix’s The Black Godfather, a documentary directed by Reginald Hudlin and Avant’s daughter, chronicled Avant’s extraordinary life and career. The music mogul was an avid political fundraiser, and many prominent politicians he worked with, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Andrew Young, talked about his work and impact in the documentary.

Avant commented on his professional accomplishments while talking to Variety in 2016.

“My whole career has been like this,” he said. “People ask me, ‘how did you do all this?’ How the f**k do I know? I just do things. I just like to take shots.”