Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: Masters of the Ameriachi Sound
American instrumental group led by trumpeter Herb Alpert, famous for their distinctive 'Ameriachi' sound blending mariachi, pop, and jazz.Formed in 1962 by Herb Alpert, The Tijuana Brass was initially a studio project featuring Alpert overdubbing multiple parts. Achieving massive commercial success in the mid-1960s, they became synonymous with a breezy, catchy instrumental sound. At their peak in 1966, they simultaneously had five albums in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart, an unprecedented feat. Key hits include 'The Lonely Bull,' 'A Taste of Honey,' 'Spanish Flea,' and 'This Guy's in Love with You.'
- Herb Alpert is a co-founder of A&M Records (with Jerry Moss), one of the most successful independent labels in history, launching careers like The Carpenters, Cat Stevens, and The Police.
- Despite the name and Mexican-inspired sound, the core Tijuana Brass members were primarily session musicians from Los Angeles, not Mexico. The initial sound was largely created by Alpert himself through overdubbing.
- The group's visual image, often featuring members in charro-style outfits against colorful backdrops, was carefully crafted and contributed significantly to their popularity.
- Herb Alpert also achieved significant success as a solo artist after the Tijuana Brass disbanded, winning multiple Grammys and scoring hits like 'Rise.'
- A&M Records was sold to PolyGram in 1989 for a reported $500 million. Alpert remains an active musician and philanthropist.