Herb Alpert

American jazz trumpeter and composer Herbert 'Herb' Alpert was born in LA in 1935. After graduating from college he joined with producer Lou Adler and the pair wrote music for a number of performers, providing hits for Jan and Dean with "Baby Talk" and "Wonderful World" for Sam Cooke.

Alpert came to the fore in his own right when he formed the jazz, Latin, funk and easy listening group Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass in 1965. They were set up to support growing demands for live performances of the already successful music recorded and released by Alpert under the bands' name. The band were a huge hit and became the highest paid live act at that time. The single "The Lonely Bull" was a top 10 hit in 1963 and was the first record to be released on the A&M record label which Alpert started with US businessman Jerry Moss. Throughout their career the group won many awards, and have had gold and platinum selling records. Their 1965 release, Whipped Cream and Other Delights, sold over 6 million copies, while the single "A Taste of Honey" went on to win a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Profits from the band were put back into A&M records, which would go on to benefit artists such as The Carpenters, The Police and Janet Jackson who were all signed to the label.

Alpert dissolved The Tijuana Brass in 1969, but still managed to release an album under that name in 1971 and then two more in 74 and 75 as T. J. B. In 1984 the band were reunited to play at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

After the Brass, Alpert's greatest recording successes came from "Rise" which went to No.1 and earned him a Grammy. In 1987 the Keep Your Eye On Me album, which features Janet Jackson and Lisa Keith gave him a Billboard top 40 with "Route 101".

His career was recognised in 2006 with induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is currently overseeing the re-mastering of his back catalogue.