Ross Avant

Ross Avant is a multitalented composer, singer, actor, and pianist. After having seen Elton John on VH1, Avant became mesmerized with the piano and began earnestly studying the instrument. Already a seasoned cornetist and trumpeter, he made his debut performing with the world-renowned Jim Cullum Jazz Band a few years later aged fifteen at the legendary jazz club, The Landing.

When he was twenty-four, he made his professional acting debut at The Playhouse in San Antonio, TX as Tom/Jim in the San Antonio premiere of Bruce Norris' Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, Clybourne Park. He has also worked on various television shows and films including HBO's Succession, The Kitchen starring Melissa McCarthy, The Irishman directed by Martin Scorsese and the forthcoming The Trial of the Chicago 7 written and directed by Aaron Sorkin.

In 2017 Ross recorded his first EP, Dream of Surrender (prod. Mark Sinko), and a forthcoming album, entitled Running Across America (prod. Ted Young), is set to be released in the fall of 2019. Avant skillfully weaves the subversive, social satire à la Randy Newman and the thoughtful, gorgeous melodies of a master like Elton John into a resplendent tapestry; replete with arresting pop hooks and fortified with Avant’s signature piano style. His popular work is an exhaustive amalgamation of American music covering a wide breadth of genres from rock, pop, blues, R&B, and funk, to soul, jazz, and americana. A natural musician and composer, Avant began composing aged fourteen and with two records already to his name, combined with an electric stage presence, he is proving himself to be an inimitable force in contemporary music.

Furthermore, Avant has eagerly moved in to recording his concert works. He is currently working on an album of solo piano pieces as well as an album dedicated to his cello suites; both of which shall be released in 2020. Avant’s concert music is influenced by a wide array of composers including Julia Wolfe, Shubert, Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Philip Glass, Clara Schumann, Wojciech Kilar, Anthony Braxton, Chopin, Allen Shawn, Schoenberg, Arvo Pärt, John Adams, and Mahler. He has also composed music for the theatre including two productions at The City Theatre Company (Austin, TX): Cyrano de Bergerac (dir. Jeff Hinkle) and The Taming of the Shrew (dir. Levi Gore).

Avant holds an A.B. in religion and philosophy from Trinity University. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, The Society of Composers and Lyricists, and The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.