Herb Alpert

Herb Alpert
Name	Herb Alpert
Caption	Alpert performing in 1977
Background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth name	Herbert Alpert
Birth date	31 March 1935
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Instrument	Trumpet, vocals
Genre	Jazz, Latin music, pop, easy listening
Occupation	Musician, songwriter, record executive, visual artist, philanthropist
Years active	1957–present
Label	A&M Records, Almo Sounds, Shout! Factory
Associated acts	Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Lani Hall, The Baja Marimba Band, Hugh Masekela
Website	herbalpert.com

Herb Alpert is an American trumpeter, bandleader, and recording executive who co-founded A&M Records. He rose to fame in the 1960s with his group Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, which sold over 72 million records worldwide. A prolific visual artist and philanthropist, he has also achieved significant success as a co-writer of numerous popular songs. His career spans music, business, and the arts, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and a National Medal of Arts.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles to a family of Jewish immigrants from Romania and Ukraine, he was introduced to music at a young age, beginning trumpet lessons at the age of eight. He attended Fairfax High School, where he played in the marching band and developed his musical skills. After graduation, he served in the United States Army, performing at military functions during the Korean War. Following his service, he enrolled at the University of Southern California in the USC Thornton School of Music, where he was a member of the Trojan Marching Band and studied under trumpeter Mario Guarneri.

Musical career

His initial foray into the music industry involved writing songs for other artists, including co-writing "Wonderful World" for Sam Cooke. In 1962, he formed the Tijuana Brass, whose instrumental sound blended mariachi, jazz, and pop. The group's breakthrough came with the 1965 album Whipped Cream & Other Delights, featuring the hit single "A Taste of Honey." Throughout the 1960s, the Tijuana Brass dominated the charts with albums like Going Places and singles such as "Spanish Flea" and "This Guy's in Love with You." He continued to record as a solo artist after the group disbanded, achieving a 1979 number-one hit with "Rise" and later collaborating with artists like Janet Jackson and Hugh Masekela. His later work includes albums on his own label, Almo Sounds, and a series of recordings with his wife, vocalist Lani Hall.

Business ventures

In 1962, he partnered with promoter Jerry Moss to found A&M Records, initially operating out of a converted garage. The label grew into one of the most successful independent record labels in history, signing iconic artists such as The Carpenters, Cat Stevens, The Police, and Janet Jackson. Under his co-leadership, A&M was known for its artist-friendly ethos and distinctive Hollywood campus. The company was sold to PolyGram in 1989 for a reported $500 million. He later co-founded Almo Sounds in 1994 with Moss, which was subsequently sold to Universal Music Group. His business acumen also extended to investments in broadcasting and other ventures.

Art and philanthropy

A dedicated visual artist since the 1960s, he works primarily in abstract expressionism and bronze sculpture, with his work exhibited in galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. His philanthropic efforts are channeled primarily through the Herb Alpert Foundation, established in the 1980s with his wife. The foundation has donated millions to support arts education, funding programs at institutions like the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the California Institute of the Arts, and the Harlem School of the Arts. It also provides significant grants for jazz and film programs, as well as compassion and well-being initiatives.

Personal life

He has been married twice, first to vocalist Sharon Mae Lubin, with whom he had two children. Since 1973, he has been married to singer Lani Hall, a former lead vocalist for Sérgio Mendes's Brasil '66; they have one daughter together and reside in Malibu, California. His brother was the record producer David Alpert. Beyond music and art, he is an avid collector and has maintained a long-standing interest in meditation and personal development.

Awards and recognition

His accolades include nine Grammy Awards, fifteen Gold albums, fourteen Platinum albums, and five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2006, he and Jerry Moss received a Grammy Trustees Award for their contributions to the recording industry. In 2013, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer for his work with A&M Records and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Category:American trumpeters Category:American record producers Category:American philanthropists Category:1935 births Category:Living people