Biography
Herb Alpert, born March 31, 1935 in Los Angeles, California, grew up in a musically inclined family—his father played mandolin and his mother taught violin—which fostered his early interest in music. Alpert began trumpet lessons at age eight and played at dances as a teenager. After serving in the U.S. Army and briefly pursuing acting, he entered the music industry in the late 1950s, writing hit songs and recording as a vocalist. In 1962, inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of Tijuana bullfights, Alpert formed Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss. Their debut album, 'The Lonely Bull,' introduced a unique sound blending mariachi, jazz, and pop, which Alpert dubbed 'Ameriachi.'
Throughout the 1960s, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass became a defining force in American pop music, releasing a string of best-selling albums such as 'Whipped Cream & Other Delights' and 'What Now My Love.' Their accessible, upbeat instrumentals and iconic album covers made them household names, and at their peak, the group outsold even the Beatles. Alpert's innovative trumpet style, inventive arrangements, and keen production sense helped the band achieve five number one hits, multiple Grammy Awards, and over 72 million albums sold worldwide. Alpert remains the only artist to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as both an instrumentalist and a vocalist.
Herb Alpert's legacy extends beyond performance: as a co-founder of A&M Records, he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous artists and influencing the music industry. His blend of Latin-inspired rhythms, jazz improvisation, and pop sensibility left a lasting mark on American music, and his philanthropic efforts and continued creative output have cemented his status as a cultural icon.
Fun Facts
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass once had four albums simultaneously in the Billboard Top 10 and five in the Top 20 in 1966.
- The iconic album cover for 'Whipped Cream & Other Delights' became one of the most recognizable in pop music history.
- Alpert is the only artist to have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as both an instrumentalist ('Rise') and as a vocalist ('This Guy's in Love with You').
- At their commercial peak, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass outsold the Beatles two to one in the United States.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Louis Armstrong - Stylistic influence; Alpert sought to emulate Armstrong's trumpet sound in his formative years. (General trumpet style and improvisational approach) [1940s–1950s]
- Harry James - Early trumpet influence; Alpert tried to sound like James as a young musician. (General trumpet style) [1940s–1950s]
- Miles Davis - Stylistic influence; Alpert admired Davis's innovation and tone. (General trumpet style) [1950s]
- Clifford Brown - Trumpet virtuoso whose skill inspired and challenged Alpert. (General trumpet style) [1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Jerry Moss - Co-founder of A&M Records and business partner; collaborated on producing and releasing Tijuana Brass albums. (A&M Records, all Tijuana Brass albums) [1962–1989]
- Sol Lake - Composer and songwriter; wrote many of the Tijuana Brass's signature tunes. ("The Lonely Bull," "Spanish Flea," "Tijuana Taxi") [1960s]
- Burt Bacharach - Composer and arranger; co-wrote and arranged "This Guy's in Love with You," Alpert's vocal hit. ("This Guy's in Love with You") [1968]
- Tijuana Brass Band Members - Core performing group; contributed to the signature sound and live performances. (All Tijuana Brass albums and tours) [1962–1971]
Artists Influenced
- Sergio Mendes - Signed to A&M Records; Alpert's support helped launch Mendes's international career. (Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66) [1966–1970s]
- Chuck Mangione - Cited Alpert's blend of pop and jazz as an influence on his own crossover trumpet style. (General approach to pop-instrumental jazz) [1970s]
- Modern pop and jazz instrumentalists - Alpert's Ameriachi style and production techniques inspired later generations of instrumental pop musicians. (Various artists and works) [1970s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Whipped Cream & Other Delights | 1965-04-01 | Album |
| Whipped Cream & Other Delights | 1965 | Album |
| !!Going Places!! | 1965-10-01 | Album |
| The Beat Of The Brass | 1968-05-01 | Album |
| South Of The Border | 1964-10-01 | Album |
| The Lonely Bull | 1962-12-01 | Album |
| What Now My Love | 1966-05-09 | Album |
| Sounds Like... | 1967-05-01 | Album |
| The Beat Of The Brass | 1968 | Album |
| Herb Alpert's Ninth | 1967-12-08 | Album |
| S.R.O. | 1966-11-01 | Album |
| Volume 2 | 1963-12-01 | Album |
| You Smile - The Song Begins | 1974-05-01 | Album |
| Christmas Album | 1968-12-16 | Album |
| Summertime | 1971-07-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Ladyfingers (Whipped Cream & Other Delights)
- Ladyfingers (Whipped Cream & Other Delights)
- This Guy's In Love With You (The Beat Of The Brass)
- Spanish Flea (!!Going Places!!)
- A Taste Of Honey (Whipped Cream & Other Delights)
- Mae (!!Going Places!!)
- Tangerine (Whipped Cream & Other Delights)
- Tijuana Taxi (!!Going Places!!)
- Whipped Cream (Whipped Cream & Other Delights)
- Green Peppers (Whipped Cream & Other Delights)
External Links
Tags: #easy-listening, #jazz-pop, #lounge
References
Heard on WWOZ
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2025 | 07:41 | Ladyfingersfrom Whipped Cream & Other Delights | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall | |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 06:56 | Ladyfingersfrom Whipped Cream & Other Delights | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall | |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 08:01 | Ladyfingersfrom Whipped Cream & Other Delights | The Morning Setw/ Fox Duhon or Mark LaMaire | |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 07:12 | Ladyfingersfrom Whipped Cream & Other Delights | The Morning Setw/ Fox Duhon or Mark LaMaire |