Originally from the hills of Western Maryland, she moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from college to develop her performance style in such venues as Blues Alley, Park Place Cafe, and Fort Dupont Summer Theater. She learned from listening to local masters Shirley Horn, Ethel Ennis and Ronnie Wells, as well as studying piano and guitar privately. Forging a successful career, she worked with the excellent area musicians, many of whom played for the military service jazz bands. She also became the regular vocalist for several 16-piece big bands.
In 1989 Ms. Hubka won a Jazz Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, for private study with master jazz vocalist Anne Marie Moss. After relocating to New York City, she continued her studies in piano and guitar as well, including guitar with Gene Bertoncini and John Hart, and piano with Harold Danko. She also participated in workshops at Barry Harris' Jazz Cultural Theater on Eighth Avenue, and at the Universal Jazz Coalition.
Diane has performed at most of New York's jazz venues, including Birdland, Cleopatra's Needle, Trumpets, The West End Gate, The Squire, and St. Peter's Church, as well as for Hospital Audiences throughout the metro area, and Gracie Mansion by invitation of the Mayor. And traveling to perform in her hometown, she has been featured as the guest soloist with the Western Maryland and Potomac Highland Symphonies. In addition to singing with various ensembles, Ms. Hubka also accompanies herself on guitar, performing jazz and bossa nova standards, sometimes working in duo form with jazz cellist Dan Barrett.
Post-bop veteran Bob Dorough says Diane'snew CD, Haven't We Met?, is "as good a jazz vocal set as you could hear." Released on the A-Records/Challenge lable, it features special guest Lee Konitz on alto saxophone, with Frank Kimbrough, piano; John Hart, electric & accoustic guitars; Harvie Swartz, bass and Ron Vincent, drums.
