04/06/2026
From the Desk of Dr. Pazanta Hicks-Byars:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my uncle, Musician and tandem of the iconic Pazant Brothers: Alvin Pazant, who passed early this morning in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Alvin Pazant started his musical career playing with the Lionel Hampton Band along with his brother, Jazz Hall of Famer, Eddie Pazant and retired after over 30 years singing bass with the Grammy Award-winning group, The Manhattans.
The Pazant Brothers began playing at major clubs in New York and the demand for their musicianship was evidenced by the artists whom they performed live or in studio with or were Musical Directors for, such as: Eartha Kitt, Della Reese, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye, Millie Jackson, the Dells, Kool & The Gang, The Manhattans, Chuck Jackson, Tom Jones, Maya Angelo, Billie Holiday, Joe Frazier, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, the Delfonics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Sandra Reeves Phillips. In 1978 the Cotton Club became home to the Pazant Brothers Orchestra where they were the main attraction and band....along with the George Gee Orchestra and Pucho and The Latin Souls.
The Pazant Brothers traveled around the world in Bermuda, Africa, Mexico, England, Puerto Rico, Spain and Italy. My Uncle Alvin spoke fluent French and conducted orchestras such as the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra, the New Orleans Orchestra, the Boston Pop Orchestra and the Cotton Club Orchestra.
Speaking of Memories….One night lifelong friend and family member…boxer Joe Frazier stopped through. He was so impressed with my uncles that he flew them both to Jamaica to sit ring side at the George Foreman fight. (My uncle Alvin loves this memory!) Their presence attracted greats such as Muhammad Ali who came to the Cotton Club at the time he was Heavyweight Champion to play ‘Chop Sticks’ with the Pazant Brothers as well as Red Fox who performed at the Cotton Club with my uncles. I cannot list everyone they ever performed with but, I had to name a few. And…in Beyonce’s song, “Cleo” she sampled a Pazant Brothers song!
In 1990, Alvin Pazant began to sing bass with the Manhattans (Shining Star, Kiss and Say Goodbye, etc) and did so for over 30 years. Recently, when Alvin Pazant was in the hospital, Grammy Award winning band mate & Colleague, Gerald Alston of the Manhattans, sang to Uncle Alvin…what a beautiful gesture of love and life-long friendship. My cousin Dawna Pazant also sang beautifully to Uncle Alvin while in the nursing home and over the phone….he was surrounded by so much love.
The Pazant Brothers’ mentorship has influenced so many musicians such as current entertainment greats Musical Director/family member-Mr. Ray Chew (Musical Director for American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, BET Awards, to name a few); and Businessman & CEO of Master P’s JAM Network and GMGB League (Basketball Team) Mr. James Scott.
Uncle Alvin to this day stated that out of the many artists he met, he was often impressed with Maya Angelou who he says was always “quite a lady, very astute, sincere and a very conscientious lady.
Last year, in anticipation of writing a book about the Pazant Brothers, I had the opportunity to ask my uncle what his favorite memory was or who his favorite artist was after working in the music industry and traveling the world for over 50 years. He said that most of all….he loved working with his brother, Eddie Pazant…that was his best joy. Eddie Pazant died in August 2017.
My condolences to his wife Polly and his children: Bradford, Alecia, Naja, and Jalika. We will miss you Uncle Alvin…Rest in Power and Peace.
