Dave began performing on tenor saxophone professionally at the age of 13 with the Baltimore Municipal Band. In 1960 he was selected by the legendary R&B star Maxine Brown to accompany her on a performing tour.

In 1963 Dave started his own group of musically adventurous youngsters, among whom were saxophonist Gary Bartz (Miles Davis group), trumpeter Carl Adams, bassist Mickey Bass, pianist Lonnie Liston Smith and drummer Joe Chambers.

Dave’s career has embodied him with a broad, rich experience in music as he has performed and toured with the Ray Charles Show, Ethel Ennis, Patti LaBelle, Ruth Brown, Buck Clarke, Kenny Dorham, Roy Haynes, Charles Earland, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes, George Benson and many others.

After receiving his B.A. in music from Morgan State University, and then leaving the Ray Charles Big Band, Dave settled in New York City, where his unique saxophone sound was heard at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Village Vanguard, The Village Gate, Fat Tuesdays, The Halfnote, Minton's Playhouse, The Bluenote, Count Basie's, The Club Barron, The Five Spot and The Actor’s Theater Workshop.

Dave has recorded his original music with his group on releases through Mainstream, Blue Note and Sybarite record labels. His complete discography numbers over fifty recording releases. Hubbard’s full, rich tenor sound can be heard on recordings with Les McCann, Joe Jones, Charles Earland, George Benson and others. In 2002 Dave released “Groovin’ with Dave Hubbard” on the Debede music label.