Herb Alpert is a living legend — and that phrase gets overused, but in his case, it’s simple fact. As a musician, he’s sold over 72 million albums. As co-founder of A&M Records, he helped launch the careers of artists from the Carpenters to Janet Jackson. His trumpet playing, warm and melodic and utterly distinctive, defined an entire sound that dominated the 1960s and has never really gone out of style. He brings The Tijuana Brass to Rochester’s Kodak Center on May 12.
At 91, Alpert continues to tour and record with a vitality that puts artists half his age to shame. His live shows blend the iconic hits — “A Taste of Honey,” “Spanish Flea,” “Rise” — with newer material and an easy charm that fills every room he plays. The Tijuana Brass ensemble delivers those arrangements with the kind of polish and swing that only comes from world-class players.
For Finger Lakes music lovers, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Alpert’s catalog spans jazz, pop, and Latin music, and his influence on American popular music is immeasurable. The Kodak Center provides the perfect setting for an evening of timeless musicianship.