herbgrahamjr

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 / multi-instrumentalist Billy Higgins, Herb has produced / recorded / performed with J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), John Cale (Velvet Underground),  Jeff Buckley, Macy Gray, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, The Watts Prophets, Heavy Blanket, Dean Martin, Kurt Elling, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Don Cherry, Charlie Hunter, B Sharp Jazz Quartet, Donald Harrison, James Moody, Carmen Bradford, Kamau Daaood, Tracy Bonham, Rich Ferguson, Renee & Jeremy, Sada Sat Kaur, Richard Berry & Big Jay McNeely to name a few. 

While recording & touring with pop, rock, punk, jazz, African, East Indian and hip-hop artists, Herb started the band, B Sharp Jazz Quartet, in his Leimert Park neighborhood. Rehearsing and performing at Billy Higgins jazz club, “The World Stage”, the band was allowed 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 to receive.”

The B Sharp Jazz Quartet recorded 4 albums that each charted in the top 5 of jazz radio airplay. The popularity of the band allowed them to tour extensively for an 8 year span, headlining major jazz and music festivals in the US, Europe and beyond.
In the midst of all this, beginning in 2003, Herb started an annual trip to India, 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 Peabody Award winning "Bhutto".  "Bhutto" is a sweeping biopic on Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto. The film was a competition finalist at the Sundance Film Festival, and received an Emmy Nomination for it’s PBS Independent Lens release. Herb has also written music and songs that have been licensed for movies, TV shows, commercials and video games. 

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. 

This year will see the release of 2 FuzZYTopP Ep’s along with production for 2 new artists as well as a variety of scoring/songs for TV shows, documentary and feature films.

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. 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." I live to serve the muse we call music."