Bandleader, active in the 1930s and early 1940s. Over the years band members included vocalist and guitarist Don Cornell and guitarist Billy Mure. Alpert's orchestra is most famous for being present on the night of the deadly Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston. 492 people lost their lives on November 28, 1942, when fire broke out in the overcrowded night club. 1,000 patrons were inside the building, which only had a capacity of 600. Many were trapped or trampled. Alpert had just raised his baton to play the ''National Anthem'' when flames roared up from the lounge below. Several members of Alpert's orchestra were among the victims. Alpert himself escaped by breaking out a basement window and was credited with helping save the lives of several people.