Search - Diane Hubka :: You Inspire Me

Award-winning vocalist Diane Hubka is joined by seven of the world?s greatest guitarists on her latest CD ? a personal tribute to her love of jazz guitar. With a connoisseur?s ear Hubka has chosen from among the best: Gene Bertoncini, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Paul Bollenback, John Hart, Jack Wilkins and Romero Lubambo (in his Brazilian Trio Da Paz.) In this unique recording Hubka sings in a variety of musical settings, from single guitar; guitar duo; and guitar, bass and drums, carrying the listener along for a swinging, soulful ride. But then, Hubka is not just another singer. Her first CD, Haven?t We Met ? with jazz legend Lee Konitz ? was nominated for a 1999 Jazz Award for Best Recording Debut of the Year, alongside rising stars Stefon Harris, Ravi Coltrane and Brian Blade. Her second release, Look No Further, was heralded by jazz critic Scott Yanow in the LA Jazz Scene as "one of the best in recent times." "Making this new CD was a dream come true," says Hubka, who also plays the guitar and sometimes accompanies herself in New York venues. "It?s such a versatile instrument and I wanted to show its many colors. Each guitarist has such a unique sound!" You Inspire Me opens with the master Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo in his ?Trio da Paz? (Nilson Matta, bass and Duduka da Fonseca drums,) for a rousing rendition of the rarely recorded ?Love', by Ralph Blain and Hugh Martin. The band lays down a fabulous Latin groove over which Diane's sexy vocals soar, ending with a thrilling scat. Guitar greats Bucky Pizzarelli and Frank Vignola follow with an infectiously swinging duo behind Hubka?s sweet-toned vocals on the Rodgers & Hart classic ?Blue Moon'. The duets with virtuosos Gene Bertoncini and Jack Wilkins are stunning in their understated simplicity. And the trio songs each with Paul Bollenback and John Hart ? with John Ebert on bass and Jeff Hirshfield on drums ? round out the variety of textures, colors and moods of this wonderful and unusual recording. As CD Now has noted, Diane Hubka "casts a wide net for her material," and this CD is no exception. Hoagy Carmichael?s Winter Moon is an exquisite case in point, and the vocal version of the guitar standard Nuages, by Django Reinhardt, with new lyrics by Dr. Frank Forte, is equally inspiring.