Herb Alpert

Known for his mariachi-inspired easy listening sound, trumpeter Herb Alpert is one of the most successful instrumental performers in pop history. He is also one of the entertainment industry's canniest businessmen, having co-founded A&M Records -- a label that ranks among the most prosperous artist-owned companies ever established -- with partner Jerry Moss. Emerging in the early '60s alongside his group the Tijuana Brass, Alpert quickly established himself on the charts with Top Ten hits like the title track to 1962's The Lonely Bull and the Grammy-winning "A Taste of Honey" off 1965's Whipped Cream & Other Delights. Prior to landing his own hits, Alpert had already teamed with fellow future industry titan Lou Adler to co-write several of singer Sam Cooke's most enduring hits, including "Wonderful World" and "Only Sixteen." They also produced tracks for the surf duo Jan & Dean. It was with the founding of A&M in 1962 that Alpert's career really took off. Launched out of Alpert's garage, A&M grew to become the world's biggest independent label, showcasing artists like the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, and Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass remained the label's flagship act, popularizing his Latin-influenced "Ameriachi" sound and scoring hits like "Spanish Flea" (off 1965's Going Places) as well as Alpert's classic 1968 vocal version of Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's in Love with You," which became his first number one hit single. Multiple Grammy Awards also followed, including two for 1967's "What Now My Love." As the sound of pop music evolved, so did Alpert's approach, as he embraced soft rock, disco, and R&B on 1979's Rise. From the '80s onward, albums like 1983's Blow Your Own Horn, 1992's Midnight Sun (his last for A&M after selling the company), and 1997's Passion Dance showcased his continued love of jazz, adult contemporary pop, and Latin traditions. He also branched out into other avenues, earning respect as an abstract painter and founding his own philanthropic Herb Alpert Foundation in support of youth arts and education. Although he has periodically taken time off from performing, Alpert remains a vital studio and live performer, often working with his wife, vocalist Lani Hall, on albums like 2011's I Feel You, 2016's Grammy-nominated Human Nature, and 2019's Over the Rainbow, the latter of which topped the jazz albums chart. In 2020, he was the subject of the career-spanning documentary film Herb Alpert Is...., after which he released 2021's Catch the Wind. He again joined Hall for her 2022 solo album Seasons of Love, delivered his 49th album with 2023's Wish Upon a Star, and at age 89, presented 50.

From 🇺🇸 United States