Diane Hubka is an American jazz guitarist and vocalist.

Career

Hubka was born in Pleasantville, NY and took violin lessons at age 6–7, then trombone age 9, and guitar when she was eleven. She learned to play folk songs fingerstyle. In 1970, the family moved to Cumberland, MD. During the 1970s her influences were The Beatles,

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, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the Allman Brothers. She was introduced to jazz in college by her guitar teacher, Bill Bittner, and joined his quartet as a vocalist. In 1980, she moved to Washington DC and performed in local clubs including Blues Alley and Charlie's Georgetown. In 1985, she moved to New York City, where she studied voice, guitar, and piano with

Howard Alden Howard Vincent Alden (born October 17, 1958) is an American jazz guitarist born in Newport Beach, California. Alden has recorded many albums for Concord Records, including four with seven-string guitar innovator George Van Eps. Early life Ho ...

, Gene Bertoncini, Connie Crothers, Harold Danko,

Barry Harris Barry Doyle Harris (December 15, 1929 – December 8, 2021) was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator. He was an exponent of the bebop style. Influenced by Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell, Harris in turn influenc ...

, and

Sheila Jordan Sheila Jordan (born Sheila Jeanette Dawson; November 18, 1928) is an American jazz singer and songwriter. She has recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to recording her own albums. Jordan pionee ...

. For many years she performed with groups in New York City and Washington, D.C.. In the 1990s, she worked as a vocalist accompanying herself on jazz guitar. In 2002, she started playing

seven-string guitar The seven-string guitar adds one additional string to the more common six-string guitar, commonly used to extend the bass range (usually a low B) or also to extend the treble range. The additional string is added in one of two different ways: b ...

. She recorded her debut album, ''Haven't We Met?'' ( Challenge, 1998), with

Lee Konitz Leon "Lee" Konitz (October 13, 1927 – April 15, 2020) was an American jazz Alto saxophone, alto saxophonist and composer. He performed successfully in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Konitz's ass ...

, Frank Kimbrough, and John Hart. The album was nominated Best Recording Debut of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. ''You Inspire Me'' (VSOJAZ, 2001) was recorded with seven guitarists: Gene Bertoncini, Paul Bollenback, John Hart, Romero Lubambo, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, and Jack Wilkins. On her album ''West Coast Strings'', she was supported by another group of established guitarists: David Eastlee, Ron Escheté, Mimi Fox, Larry Koonse, John Pisano, Peter Sprague, Anthony Wilson, and Barry Zweig.

Discography

* ''Haven't We Met?'' ( Challenge, 1998) * ''Look No Further'' (A Records, 2000) * ''You Inspire Me'' (VSOJAZ, 2001) * ''Diane Hubka Goes to the Movies'' (18th & Vine, 2007) * ''I Like It Here: Live in Tokyo'' (SSJ, 2008) * ''West Coast Strings'' (SSJ, 2013)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hubka, Diane Living people Year of birth missing (living people) American women guitarists American women jazz singers American jazz guitarists American jazz singers Women jazz guitarists American seven-string guitarists 21st-century American women