Hu Danfeng began playing the trumpet at the age of 10 and quickly demonstrated remarkable talent. In 1993, he was admitted to the prestigious High School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music. His early affinity for jazz led him to form his first jazz band in 1997. He continued his studies at the Shanghai Conservatory in 1999, during which time he became a regular performer at well-known jazz clubs in the city. He completed his Master's degree in 2006.

Currently, Hu Danfeng serves as a trumpet teacher for the Brass & String Department. He is an active performer on the Chinese jazz scene, having played with prominent groups including the JZ All-Star Big Band, the Cotton Club Band, Lawrence Ku's Red Groove Project, Lion of Puxi, Joey and the Polyphonics, and Afrosonic. He has been a featured artist at the annual JZ Festival Shanghai since 2005.

In addition to his jazz work, Hu has extensive classical and orchestral experience. He performed with the Asian Youth Orchestra in 2002 and 2004, touring extensively across East Asia. Between 2002 and 2009, he frequently served as principal trumpet with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra. In December 2010, he performed Joe Hisaishi's trumpet concerto Castle in the Sky in a concert of Hisaishi's works, conducted personally by Joe Hisaishi with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra. Between 2013 and 2026, he also participated in the recording of numerous music television programs, such as Singer, Sound of the Earth, Asia's Got Talent, and The Masked Singer.