Browse and hear the complete Off the Road series at hawaiipublicradio.org/offtheroad.
This week HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence concludes with legendary musician, co-founder of A & M Records, and sometime Hawaii resident Herb Alpert. Subscribe to the latest episodes on Apple and Spotify podcasts.
The 85-year old music superstar recently released Herb Alpert Is, both a music compilation (found streaming, on 5LP vinyl and as a 3CD set), as well as a documentary with the same name. Released during the pandemic, Herb has also been busy recording new music, composing, creating his signature paintings and sculpture, and supporting those in need, as Herb is also a noted philanthropist. His Herb Alpert Award in the Arts (HAAIA) Awards are coming up virtually May 20th, for ten recipients, and increase of five. It’s the 27th year of the awards for mid-career artists, each awarded $75,000. Herb and his wife/musical partner Lani Hall established the Herb Alpert Foundation in 1985. Their 2020 support included assisting 98 organizations in urgent need of help, some due to the pandemic. Herb’s foundation is based in Santa Monica, and in all, has given out over $200 million, so far. The Herb Alpert Foundation has given $17 million to the Harlem School of the Arts since 2010, a commitment of support over the past decade including a renovation of the building, saving the hallowed institution from closing.
If you missed part one of our two-part feature, we heard some of how Herb has been impacted by the pandemic, and he shares his famous story of discovering the trumpet at school as a little boy, which helps explain his devotion to supporting music and arts education. Herb also digs into some of the incredible characters in the recent Herb Alpert Is documentary, with stories based around music legends Sam Cooke, Quincy Jones and Sting.
This week we’ll conclude two weeks with Herb, and hear more about Herb’s fascinating Herb Alpert Is documentary, and stories connecting to several other music luminaries, like his wife Lani Hall, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. Plus, making Herb’s appearance on Off the Road even more special, the gifted artist broke out his trumpet and offered an exclusive musical performance.
We’ve also posted the complete one-hour interview performance session below.
Off The Road is a series of interviews with musicians remotely sharing how they’ve been touched by the pandemic and other crises, discussing their latest projects, including hours of conversation and many exclusive musical performances, speaking to artists across the musical spectrum, including Jack Johnson, Randy Brecker, Peter Frampton, Jimmy Webb, Joe Satriani, Heart’s Nancy Wilson, John McLaughlin, The Doors’ John Densmore, George Benson, Alice Cooper, 10,000 Maniacs, and Carlos Santana.
Browse and hear the complete Off the Road series at hawaiipublicradio.org/offtheroad.
MORE:
Hear the complete 2021 interview:
See a trailer for Herb Alpert Is:
Hear Herb's reimagined Slick with Jeff Lorber:
See a 2016 interview with Herb and Dave at Herb's house in Hawaii:
See a 2017 interview with Herb and Dave at the Blue Note Hawaii:
Hear phone interviews with Herb and Dave from 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Hear the Herb Alpert Is compilation:
Browse and hear the complete Off the Road series at hawaiipublicradio.org/offtheroad.
