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. "Since having first heard him play piano, I thought of him a creative genius. After listening to his CD, "Dig It," I know that he is." O.C. Smith "Strong playing, good compositions and powerful arrangements...a promising new talent." Neil Gorov / Groov Marketing