![]() My wife is a world-class singer, and we have three world class musicians performing behind us. JM: What kinds of “feels” do you hope the audience will experience when you and Lani come to perform at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana?Īlpert: I think you will feel our energy, which is real. He would say to me, “Herb, people are listening to a cold piece of wax - it either makes it, or it don’t.” I know what he was trying to say is that it’s all about a “feel.” And it’s the beauty that is the mystery of the arts. He taught me a lot about what to look for and listen for. Sam used his “gut.” He was a great soul singer and was part of the Soul Stirrers. I worked with Sam years back, and he taught me a lot. JM: I’ve heard you say in previous interviews that being authentic and passionate are important attributes in an artist, and going back to when you co-founded A&M Records, you listened to auditions with your eyes closed.Īlpert: I learned that from Sam Cooke. I hope to inspire others to support the arts - that’s one of my goals as well. The question is, “Does it touch you when you hear it?” That’s the kind of music I try to make, and hopefully, it will touch another person along the line. Don’t think too hard about it - is it good, is it bad, is it hip, is it corny, is it jazz or is it pop? Who cares? It doesn’t matter. But if you just take it in and let yourself go to that other dimension - you’ll get it. If you stand in front of a Jackson Pollock painting and try to find a reason for it, you’ll never get it. I think art is a “feeling.” If I stumble around trying to identify the beauty of all the arts, I’d never “get” it. The reason why I’m so involved in the arts is because I love the mystery of it. It doesn’t mean they have to be professional musicians they just have to understand why, the importance of it and the need for it to be an integral part of our lives. There’s a wealth of good things that happen through the arts, and the kids need to rub elbows with it at an early age. What are your thoughts on the importance of outreach programs and being engaged in the arts?Īlpert: The arts need to be a core part of our children’s education, and unfortunately, they’ve been wiped out for the most part in public and even in a lot of private schools. ![]() JM: You and Lani founded the Herb Alpert Foundation and are strong advocates for getting the arts back into the schools. I think most people are pursing to be free. I’m very steeped in jazz and helping to promote that form of music, because I think it’s what everybody is looking for - it’s all about freedom. We need artists, and we need music in our lives. What are your thoughts on music and the arts in general being a source of that healing process?Īlpert: There’s no doubt in my mind that music is the heart and soul of our country - and the arts in general. Right now, I think our nation is trying to figure out what do with one another, heal from the damage to humanity over the last few years and move forward. JM: You’ve witnessed a lot of evolutions in the music industry and the music culture over the many decades. I’m enjoying it! I love to play and to make a certain amount of people happy with the music that I make, and it’s a great honor to be able to do that. So, we’re in the process of making those up, and we’re booked through 2023. JM: What made you two decide this was the right time to go back out on tour, and what are you most excited about regarding this specific tour?Īlpert: We’ve been touring for the last 14 years but had to take time off for COVID, and we had to postpone a lot of engagements. I’ve always been conscious of thinking of things from her point of view when we run into a little snag. I kind of learned years ago: she’s from Venus and I’m from Mars. We don’t go to sleep angry with each other, and if we have a problem, we try to work it out and be honest. We’ve been together longer than that but officially married for 49, which is pretty amazing. Janelle Morrison: Congratulations on the release of your latest albums, and I’d like to congratulate you and Lani on 49 years of marriage! What’s the secret? Speaking to the title track of her album from the Broadway musical hit “Rent,” Lani said, “I love the beautiful message, and I love how this song breaks down life in increments.” The album reached the top 10 on the Contemporary Jazz Album chart. On the LP, Lani brings her rich life experience, deepened perspective and accrued wisdom to a song cycle that explores the nuances of an enduring relationship. Emotionally and thematically, “Seasons of Love” reflects the depth and breadth of Lani and Herb’s 49 years as marriage partners and artistic collaborators. In January, Lani Hall released “Seasons of Love,” her first album in 24 years.
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