(Piano-Todd Hunter)
(Guitar-Phil Upchurch)
(Drums-Aaron Serfaty, Raymond Pounds)
(Bass-Henry Franklin, Kevin O'Neal, Jeff Littleton)
(Sax-Chuck Manning, Phil Vieux)
(Trumpet-Oscar Brashear, Ron Stout, Brian Swartz)
(Trombone-Steve Baxter, Jaques Voyemont)
(Percussion-Cassio Duarte, Mike Gutierrez)
Influences
Horace Silver, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Joe Henderson, Joe Zawinul, Eddie Harris, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Wynton Kelly, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, McCoy Tyner, John Coltrane, Erroll Garner, Miles Davis
Todd's first and strongest influence is his father Bill, a brilliant jazz pianist. While growing up in San Diego, Todd was introduced to many of the top local jazz musicians. His parents' house became a gathering spot for late night jam sessions and a starting point in the development of his sound.
As a student of San Diego State University, Todd decided to become a permanent part of jazz culture. At the age of twenty, he packed his bags and moved to New York, hoping to immerse himself in the city's legendary jazz scene.
Greenwich Village became Todd's new school, the Village Vanguard his classroom, with Ahmad Jamal, Joe Henderson, Mel Lewis and Tommy Flannigan among his many great professors. After that solid tutorial, Todd chose Los Angeles as the stage from which to launch his career.
Los Angeles, with its rich and diverse music scene, provided Todd with the opportunity to try different sounds and styles - Salsa, Brazilian, South African and R & B. His twelve years as resident keyboardist for O.C. Smith's City Of Angels church has also added gospel to his musical influences.
Hunter considers himself an experienced "road warrior," having traveled virtually all over the world. His tour with the Brian Setzer Orchestra opened the House of Blues in Hollywood and made an appearance on the David Letterman show. More recently he has performed with Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole and Dionne Warwick on the Soul Divas tour and is currently working with Ms. Warwick on her fortieth anniversary tour.
Todd has also shared the stage with such music greats as Stevie Wonder, Jeffrey Osborne, Gladys Knight, Kashif, Nancy Wilson, Olivia Newton John, The Spinners and Thom Bell, Sir Cliff Richard, Gloria Estafan, Smokey Robinson, Billy Higgins, Kenny Burrell, Buddy Collette, Les McCann, Diane Shuur, Diane Reeves, Gerald Albright, Ronny Laws and Billy Preston.
Todd Hunter's latest recording project, aptly titled "Have a Nice Trip," ensures that listeners will do just that--and then some. James Janisse, program host at KKJZ, says this project has been "put together with some of the most talented players on either coast (and all points in between)."
Todd Hunter's latest Dexterity Records release "Have a Nice Trip," is now available on the web at: www.toddsounds.com
hey, just stopping by to say hi - hope you're doing well.
I've got my new single 'Dancing On The Kitchen Tiles" on my page at the moment, as well as a couple of new live videos. I'd love to know what you think.
Just spreading some love your way - Thanks and enjoy the Christmas season! PS: the song Feel Good, should make you feel good! :o) Kevin
Hi my dear and precious friend,
I got this saying sent to me and I love it. It is so true~things I have
learned in life and still keep learning! smiles.. We are never to old
to learn! And everyday brings new things our way! With each day comes
new hopes, new dreams, new challenges, old dreams and hopes coming
true..All we can do is our best. And when we have a rough day just know
tomorrow will be a new day to try again!
Things I have learned on the road of life
I've learned -
that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is
be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.
I've learned -
that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.
I've learned
that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned
that it's not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned -
that you can get by on charm
for about fifteen minutes.
After that,you'd better know something.
I've learned -
that you shouldn't compare
yourself to the best others can do
but to do the best you can do.
I've learned
that it's not what happens to people
that's important. It's what they do about it.
I've learned -
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned -
that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.
I've learned
that it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.
I've learned -
that it's a lot easier
to react than it is to think.
I've learned -
that you should always leave
loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned -
that you can keep going
long after you think you can't.
I've learned
that we are responsible
Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.