Diane Hubka
Diane Hubka makes her way into a select group of jazz vocalists/instrumentalists, where she rightly assumes a place of honor. (ALL ABOUT JAZZ) Whether singing with a group or accompanying herself on seven-string guitar, she gets straight to the heart of a song, playfully improvising over what New York's VILLAGE VOICE calls as eclectically entertaining a collection of material as one could wish for.
Diane's newest CD will be released on Oct 2! West Coast Strings (SSJ Records) features the singer with a far ranging program of music with eight West Coast master guitarists, plus soul-jazz veteran, Bobby Pierce guesting on Hammond B- 3. Hubka also plays guitar on three tracks. Don Heckman writes in the liner notes, On this captivating new album, Diane has assembled a West Coast jazz guitar summit, with each of the all-star groupings providing the perfect setting for her soaring vocals.
Concord recording artist and one of the world's foremost 7- string players, Howard Alden says: I think voice plus seven-string guitar is an ideal combination. It's rare to find someone who can perform with both single-handedly, but Diane does just that - beautifully! ALL MUSIC GUIDE calls Diane Hubka one of the top jazz vocalists of her generation.
The Sinatra Society of Japan invited Diane Hubka to perform and record her CD, I Like It Here/Live in Tokyo, (SSJ-USA 2009) which received a nomination for the prestigeous Jazz Disc Award by Swing Journal. Hubka dazzled the Japanese audience with her intelligent improvisations, understated emotions and energy. (EASTWIND IMPORT.) With overseas tours in Turkey & Japan and club appearances throughout the U.S., she continues winning the international acclaim that began when her first CD, Haven't We Met, was released on the Dutch Challenge/A-Records label in 1999. It featured the legendary alto sax player Lee Konitz, and garnered a Jazz Award Nomination for Best Recording Debut.
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Extended Analysis
Album Review
- I Like It Here/Live in Tokyo by Ken Dryden
- I Like It Here: Diane Hubka Live in Tokyo by C. Michael Bailey
- Diane Hubka Goes to the Movies by C. Michael Bailey
- You Inspire Me by Roger Crane
- You Inspire Me by Dave Nathan
- Look No Further by C. Michael Bailey
- Look No Further by Dave Nathan
- Haven't We Met? by Joel Roberts
Michael G. Nastos, ALL MUSIC GUIDE A picture perfect vocalist if there ever was one.
Ed Benson, JUST JAZZ GUITAR If your toes aren't tapping here you've got a problem...
Shohei Chujo, Japan's SWING JOURNAL 5 out of 5 Stars: Arguably the biggest discovery since Gambarini.
Masamichi Okazaki, Japan's SWING JOURNAL 4 1/2 out of 5 Stars: Hubka is also a good guitarist, and we get to hear her accompany herself in Luiz Bonfa’s “Manha de Carnaval.”
Joe Lang, JERSEY JAZZ It is always a pleasure to listen to a singer who combines a pleasing voice with intelligent lyric interpretation and the kind of musicianship and musicality that Diane Hubka possesses
Photos
Albums
The Look of Love
From: Diane Hubka Goes to the MoviesBy Diane Hubka