The Fantastic Album Release Concert by Todd Hunter, with Dionne Warwick - Postcards from Brazil Volume 2 Album Release Concert at Urban Press Winery, Burbank (@urbanpresswinery)

The Fantastic Album Release Concert by Todd Hunter, with Dionne Warwick - Postcards from Brazil Volume 2 Album Release Concert at Urban Press Winery, Burbank

Photographed and reported by Py Pai and W&HM Contributing Team

After the Vol 1 release of "Postcards from Brazil", on October 7, 2021, on Monday, September 4, 2023, Todd Hunter and his Bassanova Band together with the legendary music icon Dionne Warwick performed their Postcards from Brazil Vol 2 album release concert at the Urban Press Winery in the cozy Brick Room.

The concert was a celebration of the duo's love for beautiful Brazilian music. It showcased songs from their collaborative albums both Vol 1 and Vol 2 of the "Postcards from Brazil" series together with some of Dionne's most beloved songs. The concert was a resounding success, attracting a sold-out crowd. 

Notably, a significant portion of the proceeds from the concert were generously donated to the Dionne Warwick Institutes, further exemplifying the artists' commitment to making a positive impact beyond their music.

Bossanova Music in Their Hearts

Brazil holds a special place in the hearts of both Todd Hunter and Dionne Warwick. The country's vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage have deeply influenced their musical careers. The smooth melodies of bossa nova have resonated with both artists, inspiring them to create the album "Postcards from Brazil Volume". This collaborative effort is a testament to their shared passion for Brazilian music and their desire to share it with the world.

"Postcards from Brazil" Vol 2 Album Release at the Urban Press Winery, Burbank

The Urban Press Winery's Brick Room was the perfect venue for the Album Release concert. Its rooftop cozy ambiance and intimate setting created a perfect experience for the audience, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the music.

The Album Release concert was met with immense anticipation. The concert drew a sold-out crowd, with fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness the musical magic unfold on stage. Through their exceptional performances, Todd Hunter and Dionne Warwick transported the audience to the enchanting world of Brazilian music as well as with the familiar Dionne's timeless songs, captivating them with their groovy rhythms, soulful melodies, and heartfelt lyrics.

Todd Hunter and Dionne Warwick's Collaboration

In the world of music, there are certain individuals who leave a lasting impact with their talent, dedication, and genuine love for their craft. Two such individuals are Todd Hunter and Dionne Warwick, who sat down for hour-long interviews before the show and shed light on their remarkable journeys.

Dionne Warwick and Dionne Warwick Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship

Dionne Warwick, a renowned singer and songwriter, is known for her warm and personable demeanor, which was evident throughout the interviews. Also as the boss and mentor of Todd Hunter, she holds a special place in his heart.

One of the most cherished causes for Dionne is the Dionne Warwick Institute. When asked about it, Dionne spoke passionately about the organization that embodies the ambiance of love and giving back to the community. This commitment to mentoring and education resonates deeply with Dionne, and she takes immense pride in the impact her institute has had on aspiring students.

At the same time, one of the most remarkable aspects of this Album Release concert is that a significant portion of the concert's proceeds was generously donated to the Dionne Warwick Institute. By supporting this cause, Todd Hunter and Dionne Warwick demonstrated their commitment to making a difference in society beyond their musical endeavors.

Todd Hunter, the Musician, the Producer, and the Charmer

Todd Hunter is a charming musician and producer who has had the privilege of being mentored by Dionne for over two decades. Their journey together began when one day Todd received a call directly from Dionne. Dionne asked Todd to come and play for a concert, and the history is made from there. Todd jokingly said that he did not mess up too badly and 21 years later to this place.

Thanks to Dionne, Todd got an opportunity to to Rio, Brazil. This experience proved to be transformative for Todd, as it paved the way for the wonderful Bossanova music releases in the coming years.

Todd and Dionne Working Collaboration

In their working relationship, both agreed that they were passionate about their work. Even with lots of synergy, occasionally they still find the "agree to disagree" hard-headiness perking up. We are learning still every day.

We applaud these two artists, especially Dionne, for her always patient and sincere responses to interview questions. It's one thing to talk for 10 minutes, but for more than one hour would only dedicated artists do it for their works and their causes.

Mesmerizing Album Release Concert Performances

The concert featuring Todd Hunter and Dionne Warwick was a spectacular musical experience. As they took to the stage, Todd together with his band began with a mesmerizing performance of songs from his albums, Vol 1 and Vol 2, to a sold-out crowd that had been eagerly awaiting this event.

Todd's Bassanova group proved to be a lively and enthusiastic ensemble with the ability to keep the audience excited and even dancing-ly. Their performance was a true reflection of the direct artistic connection between Todd and his bandmates, a true testament to their musical prowess.

During the performance, Todd did great piano fingerwork on the piano, while his bandmates on drums, guitar, and bass jamming beautifully and effortlessly. At the same time, he also cracked jokes and told his heartwarming father-son stories. He even gave harmless beer humor at the winery venue with his Vol 1 leading song "Beer Culture".

Dionne Warwick's Magical Singing and Messages

The stage lit up even more as Dionne Warwick graced the audience with her presence, joining Todd on stage to sing some of her songs dedicated to love and friendship. Dionne's beautiful, immaculate, and unique voice articulated such ideals through her iconic songs such as "What the World Needs Now is Love", as well as "That's What Friends Are For" and more. 

The crowd was mesmerized by the power and beauty of her voice. The standing ovations were obviously not enough to show the fans' appreciation.

Granddaughter Cheyenne Elliot Joining In

To add to the excitement, Dionne's granddaughter Cheyenne Elliot, a talented musician in her own right, also joined the performance. She left an indelible mark on the concert with her charming and passionate performance.

Wild Poster Auction

In between the sets, a poster auction was held that proved to be a hit with the audience. The bidding went off the charts, with eager fans vying to get hold of the prized posters. It was a fantastic opportunity for people to own a piece of the unforgettable experience that the concert provided.

Urban Press Winery Hosting

We also like to bring attention to the the impressive Urban Press Winery in the core of Burbank's shopping district. It is owned by the great restaurateur Giovanni D'Andrea, or Gio as he is popularly known. The ambiance of the winery was a perfect venue for the concert, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for the audience. Under the soft Fall weather like Labor Day long weekend night, it created musical magic and mental uplift to a Bossanova wonderland.

The Wonderful and Highly Successful Album Release Event

The Todd Hunter Album Release concert, featuring Dionne Warwick and showcasing the "Postcards from Brazil Volume 2" album, was a truly memorable event.

The artists' passion for Brazilian music was palpable, and they successfully transported the audience to the vibrant musical world of Brazil. Hosted by Urban Press Winery, the concert provided an intimate and immersive experience for fans.

The energetic performances of Todd and his Bassanova group, combined with Dionne's mesmerizing voice, created such a harmony that was hard to miss. The addition of Cheyenne Elliot's exceptional talent proved to be an icing on the cake. The poster auction added to the glamour and buzz of the night,

Importantly, the generous donation to the Dionne Warwick Institutes highlighted the artists' dedication to using their platform for positive social change.

Overall, this Album Release concert not only celebrated the music but also exemplified the power of art to inspire, uplift, and make a difference in the world, a true testament to the power of music to bring people together.

You can find the newest release of the "Postcards from Brazil, Vol 2" at Todd Hunter's website: 

https://www.toddsounds.com/

During our coverage of the event, we are deeply moved by this experience with their beautiful music, stunning performances, their wonderful presence, and charity causes. We look forward to hearing more about them and their artistic creations!

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