Herb Alpert

Despite his association with Mariachi-inspired music, Herb Alpert is not Hispanic; his parents were Jewish immigrants. His father, Louis, was a tailor and mandolin player from Radomyshl, Ukraine, while his mother, Tillie, had Romanian roots and taught violin. His older brother, David, was a drummer.

Alpert began playing trumpet at age 8. He attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, where he was active in the school's music program, further developing his trumpet skills. Alpert studied classical music before transitioning to jazz influences like Charlie Parker and Harry James.

In 1962, Alpert co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss. The label became one of the most successful independent record companies, signing artists such as the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, and Janet Jackson. A&M Records was sold to PolyGram in 1989.