SĒN Baltimore Magazine - Nightlife, Local Music, Events and Podcasts

I met 28 year old jazz musician and vocalist, Matt Dusk, at the Lyric opera house on April 19th, 2007.  Matt was there opening for Patrizio Buanne. 

You might recognize Matt from his rendition of "For the Love of Money," by the O'Jays on Donald Trump's "Apprentice" soundtrack, but it is his new album that was re-launched in the U.S on April 3rd that has everyone talking. 

What was his manager talking about as we began the interview?  Matt’s unique taste in socks.  And you can’t help but notice them.  “I hunt my socks down, where ever I go.”  They add the perfect amount of youthful flair to his classic, sophisticated style.  His manager playfully adds, “I think we should have fans send in the ugliest socks that they can find.”  I am all for it.

Born in Toronto, his first major album, “Two Shots,” debuted in 2004.  His latest venture, “Back in Town”, has catapulted the Juno Award nominated singer into stardom with classic timeless songs, such as ‘Time Goes By’, and contemporary pop numbers, including the hit, ‘All about Me.”  Renowned arrangers, Patrick Williams and Sammy Nestico were brought in to provide original arrangements. 

And what inspires Matt?  “Sex.  Music is the ultimate euphoria, it is the ultimate communication.  Music it is very emotional.  There is no inhibition, so there is no grey area.“

Matt listens to everything from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to current mainstream favorites, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Christine Aguilera and Green Day.  “I always wonder where the genre is going so I can take elements.  You have to be modern.  You can’t be stuck in the past. As much as we like to romanticize, we still have to make our own”

Crooner Matt Dusk comments, “Me? I’m not here to change the world. You could say my goal is to bring jazz a little more into the mainstream. But basically, at the end of the day, all I really want to do is entertain people.”

And entertain he does.