FuzZY TopP
About
Paiste Artist Since
March 1992
Nationality
United States
Main Affiliations
FuzZY TopP
J Mascis
Heavy Blanket
Other Affiliation
B Sharp Jazz Quartet
„A Paiste member since ’92, I’ve always loved the unique colors that Paiste Cymbals and Gongs provide. The sparkly cymbals allow me to paint any musical canvas with a wide variety of emotions. Shimmery, resonant, from a whisper to a roar. Whatever the application, Paiste has the right vibration!“
Setup
Cymbals listed from left to right
15" 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat
20" 2002 Power Crash
20" Signature Full Crash
24" 2002 Ride
Videos & Pics
Biography
Producer, composer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist – all these titles can be affixed to Herb Graham, Jr ( aka FuzZY TopP), an in-demand artist whose studio and stage work effortlessly encompasses a wide variety of musical genres and artistic collaborations. Mentored by the legendary drummer & Paiste endorsee Billy Higgins, Herb has recorded / performed with John Lee Hooker, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Jeff Buckley, Macy Gray, LL Cool J, J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Heavy Blanket, John Cale (Velvet Underground), Freddie Hubbard, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Donald Harrison, James Moody, Carmen Bradford, Kamau Daaood, Tracy Bonham, Renee & Jeremy, Sada Sat Kaur & Big Jay McNeely to name a few. While still recording & touring with pop, rock, jazz, punk, African, East Indian and hiphop artists, Herb started, the B Sharp Jazz Quartet, in his Leimert Park neighborhood. Rehearsing and performing at Billy Higgins jazz club, “The World Stage”, allowed the band to gel as a unit. In an LA Times feature article, Herb’s writing & production intentions were clear, “I viewed the band as an alternative improvisational collective. I wanted a place where any musical genre could be an inspiration for energetically creative music to be performed, while, putting on a show for the audience.” The B Sharp Jazz Quartet recorded 4 albums that each landed in the top 5 of jazz airplay charts. The popularity of the band allowed them to tour extensively for an 8 year span, headlining major jazz and music festivals in the US and around the world. In the midst of all this, Herb started an annual trip to India, starting in 2003, to learn and perform Indian bhajans. The challenge of learning to sing and play traditional Indian songs continues to expand Herb’s artistic view both musically and spiritually. While he has produced over 30 records, Herb has also scored 4 feature films including the festival darling "Karma Calling" and "Bhutto". "Bhutto" is a sweeping biopic on Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto. The film was a competition finalist at the Sundance Film Festival, a Peabody Award winner and received an Emmy Nomination for it’s PBS Independent Lens release. Herb has also written music and songs that have been licensed for TV shows, films and commercials. 2018 proved to be another busy year for Herb as he toured with J Mascis instrumental power trio, Heavy Blanket, supporting bands My Bloody Valentine and Sleep in large halls. He also produced 2 new records and is finishing up his first solo release as the artist FuzZY TopP. FuzZY TopP features Herb on all instruments as well as vocals for the electronic rock journey. 2019-2020 will see the release of 3 FuzZY TopP Ep’s along with touring to support the upcoming releases. In a recent interview, Herb provided this comment when asked about his love of music: "Who I am and what I do is defined by the task at hand. Whether producing, composing, mixing or performing, the love of the music always comes first for me. If there is any one label that could sum up all I am and aspire to be it is to be called an “artist." It is the art of expression through music that has inspired my humility to surrender to the creative powers of the universe. I live to serve the muse we call music. A famous sage once said, "Pure music is as big as space. It is the secret of allowing the pure sound of the universe to flow through you."
Setup Cymbals
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Details
Sizes: 13", 14", 15", 17"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Medium bright, full, warm, brilliant. Wide range, fairly complex mix. Fast, responsive feel. Full, bright, energetic open sound. Sharp, full chick sound. The original, once patented, wavy bottom hi-hat design. The 17" version adds extraordinary boost, low end and crisp projection.
- Sounds
