ALPERT, HERB

ALPERT, HERB (1935– ), U.S. trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and producer. Born in Los Angeles, Alpert studied jazz and classical trumpet and served two years in the army as a trumpeter and bugler. His first success in the music industry was the writing and recording of the instrumental hit "The   Lonely Bull" (1962) with his backup group the Tijuana Brass. Alpert's style influenced a number of other groups, such as Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Beatles. In 1962 he used his royalty monies to purchase the old Charlie Chaplin studio and form A\&M Records in partnership with Jerry Moss. Under Alpert's guidance, A\&M signed many famous pop performers such as the Police, Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, and the Carpenters. In addition, Alpert himself recorded the number one hit single "This Guy's in Love" (1972). In 1990 he and Moss sold A\&M and in 1994 started a new record label – Almo. His albums showed an eclectic style with influences from Africa, funk and disco, Big Band sounds, and hip-hop. Among his recordings are Herb Alpert and Hugh Masekela (1978); Rise (1979); My Abstract Heart (1989); North on South Street (1991); the jazz album Midnight Sun (1992); Second Wind (1996); and Passion Dance (1997). -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Grove online; MGG2. (Jonathan Licht / Israela Stein (2nd ed.)