Diane Hubka – West Coast Strings

Diane Hubka’s newest release offers her ample opportunities for vocal jazz adventures amid the stimulating companionship of eight West Coast master guitarists. This far-ranging program of music follows up her critically acclaimed 2002 recording, You Inspire Me, (VSOJAZ) which featured the singer in the company of seven world class “East Coast based” guitarists.

More than simply gathering eight guitarists – she organized them into fascinating combinations. On some tracks she’s backed by a single guitarist; on others there are pairs. Some tunes have rhythm sections, some don’t. Three romping blues-infused tracks feature soul-jazz veteran Bobby Pierce on Hammond B-3.

Diane also plays guitar on three tracks, each one resonating with her affection for the lush sounds of her 7-string guitar, including a duo with 7-string guitar legend, Ron Eschete. (14 strings!) Add to that the almost symbiotic way in which she relates vocally to her stellar guitarist friends in each of the instrumental combinations, bringing the rhythmic spirit of jazz to her musical storytelling.

A vital member of New York’s jazz scene for two decades, Diane moved to Los Angeles in 2004 and quickly linked up with the large community of gifted guitarists there, primarily via John Pisano’s “Guitar Night”. It’s no surprise that she selected Pisano as the first on her list when she began the line up for this recording. The majority of the players hail from Los Angeles, with Mimi Fox based in the San Francisco Bay area, and Peter Sprague in San Diego.

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