During his 50-year career, Herb Alpert (and his band, Tijuana Brass) has won six Grammy Awards, achieved 14 platinum albums and outsold the Beatles. Now 81, he talks to The Club about his life in travel

Where was your most memorable concert?
There used to be a venue in Australia called The Stadium, which I think was made of aluminium. The owners kept cattle there and had to remove them each evening to fill it with seats. We played there in the late 1960s. The sound of the crowds reverberating off the metal walls was incredible.

And your favourite place to perform?
The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is always so satisfying. We’ve played there about four times, with a symphony orchestra, to crowds of around 18,000 people.

Where’s the best place in the world for jazz?
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz. In the early days of the Tijuana Brass, we visited during carnival season and performed on a float. It was a big moment for us – there were thousands of people on either side of the street as we passed through playing our songs. The city’s music reflects the spirit of its residents. They seem to have a different attitude to life than New Yorkers or Los Angelinos.

Which is your favourite holiday destination?
Portofino in Italy has great weather, excellent food and beautiful views. Italy is nice in general. You get a great glass of wine at any local restaurant.

Where’s home?
We have a place right on the water in Malibu, California, and I like the feeling that our backyard goes on forever. For a night out in LA, I’d recommend my jazz bar, Vibrata Grill Jazz. The food is great and the environment is very welcoming.

Your favourite bar in the world?
The Carlyle Hotel in New York has a beautiful old-time bar, straight out of the 1930s.

Which destination has surprised you the most?
Tokyo was an experience. Hearing the crowd sing This Guy’s in Love With You in perfect English was a nice surprise. I liked Japan as a country. They have a very meditative way of presenting the city, with parks, lakes and trees. The food is sensational – you can cut kobe beef with a fork.

Herb Alpert has recently re-released 24 albums from his back catalogue, as well as a new studio album, Human Nature

Interview by Hannah Hudson

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This article has been tagged Opinion, Travel Tips