Yes, at the time of this performance and of this writing, Herb Alpert is very much alive. He is still playing the trumpet and is still captivating audiences at the age of 91. On this night and for almost two hours straight, this distinguished and talented musician and his six bandmates supplied us with a terrific collective trip down memory lane.

Most of us knew what we were in for. We expected to hear the familiar instrumentals that we once heard regularly on the radio, on television and in the movies. These would be melodies like "A Taste of Honey," "The Lonely Bull" and "Tijuana Taxi." And of course, we DID hear them. We also heard three songs that were used on the TV show The Dating Game, and another one that was used in a commercial that got ordinary people dancing in the street. The selections were enhanced by archival photographs and videos of Herb, his past bands, musical friends and colleagues, and album covers, all presented to us on the big screen behind the band. What fun!

Many of the nearly two dozen songs segued right from one into the next. Other times, Herb paused between songs to tell us stories from the past. He talked about some of the musicians that he had known and had worked with, including Louis Armstrong, Sergio Mendes and Burt Bacharach. (He could have shared many more memories, since he was one of the founders of A&M Records. His involvement in the music industry has been legendary.) I will say that when a photograph of Karen Carpenter appeared on the big screen, I heard many sighs, gasps and moans from the people around me. We all knew her as a spectacular singer and a darned good drummer. Gone too soon.

A recurring topic of the evening was the 1965 release of the album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, with its memorable and provocative cover. Herb was quick to tell us amusing stories about it.

The enormously enthusiastic audience seemed to welcome each note, each visual, and each spoken word. With the beginning notes of each new song, we had immediate group recognition. Oh, yeah, we remember this one! "Love Potion #9." "Casino Royale." "On the Sunny Side of the Street." "Rise." And more than a dozen others. Sure! This was bold, instrumental music that we used to hear all the time during the 1960s and '70s, at every turn. It was music that we have missed, without realizing it. Tonight, we were happily reminded of it all. And we were given this chance by the guy who introduced it to us in the first place.

It shouldn't surprise us that Herb Alpert can still gather expert musicians around him. His current band members are Ray Brinker on drums, Kris Bergh on trumpet and percussion, Hussain Jiffry on bass, Bill Cantos on keyboards, marimba, percussion and vocals, Ryan Dragon on trombone and percussion, and Kerry Marx on guitar. Each was given a chance to shine in individual solos. And although they are obviously professionals, they were also obviously having a good time with the music and with the audience support. As was Herb. Especially when he asked us to sing along with him on "This Guy's in Love With You." What a treat!

At select venues on this tour, Lani Hall sometimes joins Herb and the band to sing a few selections. She performed with Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 and is also married to Herb. Alas, we didn't get to see Lani for this concert in Worcester. Maybe you will catch her, elsewhere.

If Herb Alpert brings his show to a theater near you, be sure to go. Spending the night with this American music icon is worth every dollar and every minute of your time. Prepare to sit down, and stand up, and sit down, and stand up, for two hours straight.