Todd Hunter

Todd Hunter grew up surrounded by jazz music in San Diego, California, where his father, jazz artist Bill Hunter, regularly hosted jam sessions and musical gatherings in the family home. Todd developed a deep love for jazz from an early age and was especially inspired by his father’s friend, trumpeter Johnny Best, whom NAMM later interviewed for its Oral History program in 1995. A pivotal moment in Todd’s musical journey came during a family trip to Europe when he attended a jazz festival and met Herbie Hancock backstage. After learning Todd was a jazz pianist, Hancock encouraged him to move to New York City if he truly wanted to pursue music seriously. Todd followed that advice during the 1980s, immersing himself in New York’s legendary jazz scene while studying and performing alongside artists such as Joe Henderson, Tommy Flanagan, and Mel Lewis. Returning later to Southern California, Todd built an impressive international career touring with Dionne Warwick, who personally called him to join her band. Over their 22 years together, Todd became her musical director and credits Warwick with teaching him one of the most important lessons of his career when she told him, “All you have to do is listen.” That philosophy helped shape him into a more expressive and supportive pianist for vocalists. Todd also served as musical director for O. C. Smith during the singer’s years leading a Southern California church community. Over the years Todd has shared the stage with artists including Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and Smokey Robinson, earning admiration for his expressive piano style and lifelong dedication to jazz.