Herb Alpert and Lani Hall ready to perform at Newport Beach Summer Concert Series

June 29, 2017 4 PM PT

He’s earned nine Grammy Awards, sold more than 72 million records and, in 1966, outsold the Beatles with his band.

Herb Alpert, the jazz-pop trumpeter, co-founder of A&M Records and musician most associated with the Tijuana Brass, is returning July 7 to the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach with his three-piece band and his wife, vocalist Lani Hall, during the annual Summer Concert Series.

“It feels good to be back,” Alpert said, calling from his studio in Malibu.

At 82, Alpert announced two new albums. The first “Music Vol. 1” is due July 1. The first-time collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Jochem van der Saag, whose credits include Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli and Elton John, includes “Flamingo,” “Unforgettable,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Michelle” and other standards.

The second is “The Christmas Wish,” a holiday album recorded with a symphony and choir due in September.

Alpert was nominated in January for his 10th Grammy for “Human Nature,” an album of new compositions inspired by electronic and dance music and covers that include Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie” and Elvis Costello’s “Look Up Again.”

“I want to make positive music in today’s environment,” Alpert said. “This music is very upbeat and fun to listen to. We could use positivity.”

Alpert is exhibiting nine bronze spirit totems at The Field Museum in Chicago.

Honesty, he said, is the common denominator between his artwork and his music.

“That’s the key ingredient,” said Alpert, who has been painting for more than 40 years and sculpting for nearly 30. “I’m trying to do what feels good for me to do, and it’s the energy I feel in rhythm for jazz.”

Alpert is also a philanthropist working to keep jazz alive through arts education. He picked up the trumpet in elementary school.

“I’ve had this incredible opportunity, and I feel that I got this gift of life, and you have to return the favor for the less fortunate,” he said.

Last year, Alpert and his wife donated $10.1-million to Los Angeles City College, which provides all music majors with tuition-free education and private lessons.

Through his foundation, which he oversees with Hall, he has endowed UCLA and CalArts in Valencia, among other programs.

In addition to philanthropy, the octogenarian remains an active performer.

“I get a pleasure out of playing,” Alpert said. “I’d like for the audience to take away the feeling of positive energy while listening to us.”

The four-month jazz festival that kicked off June 16 will continue to showcase a range of genres, including contemporary, acoustic and vocals, with performances by R&B singer and songwriter Brian McKnight, Latin jazz band leader Poncho Sanchez, renowned singers Gino Vannelli and Chris Isaak and others.

Concertgoers will hear shows at the Hyatt’s Back Bay Amphitheater and may select drinks, appetizers and dinner from the hotel’s lounge and restaurant.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Fridays. Showtimes vary.

The remaining shows in the series are:

July 14: Poncho Sanchez

July 21: Chris Isaak

July 28: Damien Escobar

Aug. 4: Gerald Albright and Jonathan Butler

Aug. 18: Maceo Parker/The Family Stone

Aug. 25: Brian McKnight

Sept. 1: Gino Vannelli

Sept. 15: Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Norman Brown

Sept. 22: An Evening with Richard Marx

Sept. 29: Fourplay — Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb & Harvey Mason