Matt Dusk

{{Short description|Canadian jazz vocalist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Matt Dusk |image = MD Perf 1.jpg |caption = Dusk in concert in July 2010 |background = solo_singer |birth_name = Matthew-Aaron Dusk<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=annette-dusk-dilaj&pid=125807093 | title=Annette Dusk Obituary (2009) Toronto Star | website=Legacy.com }}</ref> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|11|19}} |birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada |genre = Jazz |years_active = 1999–present |label = Entertainment One/Universal |website = {{URL|mattdusk.com}} }}

'''Matthew-Aaron Dusk''' (born November 19, 1978) is a Canadian jazz vocalist. He has four certified gold albums: ''Two Shots'', ''Good News'', ''Old School Yule!'' and ''JetSetJazz'', and two certified platinum albums; ''My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook'' and ''Just the Two of Us'' (with Margaret).

==Life and career== Dusk was born on November 19, 1978, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.westofthecity.com/article/101449/INTERVIEW:-Matt-Dusk | title=West of the City | access-date=July 12, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814001729/http://www.westofthecity.com/article/101449/INTERVIEW:-Matt-Dusk | archive-date=August 14, 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?pid=168344566| title = Wayne DUSK Obituary (2013) - Etobicoke, ON - Toronto Star| website = Legacy.com}}</ref> From an early age, he wanted to become a performer. At the age of seven, he was accepted into St. Michael's Choir School, where he remained for eleven years. He performed opera and classical music but after hearing Tony Bennett, Bob Fenton, and Sarah Vaughan when he was seventeen he began to change his musical direction. In 1998, he won the Canadian National Exhibition Rising Star Competition. He intended to take over the family business, and in 1998 he went to York University in Toronto to study economics. After one year, he decided to switch to music. He studied jazz theory with John Gittins, jazz vocal with Bob Fenton, and attended master classes taught by Oscar Peterson. He was awarded the Oscar Peterson Scholarship and graduated in 2002.

Before Dusk secured a record deal, he recorded four albums independently. In March 2003, he signed a deal with Decca. In 2004 he was invited to the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas to perform as in-house entertainer for the filming of the television show ''The Casino''.

His debut album, ''Two Shots'', was released on June 5, 2004, and was certified gold in Canada. The album produced the hit single "Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad", which was written by Bono and The Edge of the rock band U2. This song was the theme for ''The Casino''. Dusk followed up his debut album with a holiday EP entitled ''Peace on Earth'' which was released on November 30, 2005.

In January 2006, Dusk traveled to Los Angeles to record his second album, ''Back in Town'' at Capitol Studio A. He recorded with a 58 piece orchestra conducted by Patrick Williams and Sammy Nestico and recorded by Al Schmitt. ''Back in Town'' includes a mix of jazz standards and originals and was released in June 2006.

''Good News'' was released on October 27, 2009, in Poland and Canada. The album paid tribute to the crooner style but was produced in a contemporary style. In late 2009, ''Good News'' was certified gold in Poland.

In March 2010, Dusk recorded the soundtrack to the TV series ''Call Me Fitz''. On August 25, 2010, Dusk recorded a live DVD concert special for PBS which aired in America in December 2010 and across the world in 2011. The concert was recorded live at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with a 17 piece big band.

In 2013 Dusk returned to his jazz roots and released his ''My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook''. It included an eighty piece orchestra and guests such as Arturo Sandoval, Guido Basso, Emilie-Claire Barlow, and Ryan Ahlwardt of the American a cappella band Straight No Chaser . The album paid homage to Chet Baker. On October 10, 2013, the album was certified gold in Poland. On December 17, 2013, the album achieved platinum status (also in Poland). In 2013 Dusk recorded a duet with Edyta Górniak. Additionally in 2013, Dusk performed songs for the ''Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood'' special "Snowflake Day", including a version of the show's opening tune, based on the theme for ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood''<ref name="Daniel Tiger 1">{{cite news|url=https://www.awn.com/news/daniel-tigers-neighborhood-all-new-special-premieres-pbs-kids-november-25|title='Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood' All-New Special Premieres on PBS Kids November 25|first=Jennifer|last=Wolfe|date=November 8, 2013|access-date=September 30, 2021|publisher=Animation World Network}}</ref> and the songs "The Snowflake Day Song", "Let Your Light Twinkle" and "It's Such a Good Feeling".<ref name="Daniel 2">{{Cite web|url=https://pbskids.org/apps/daniel-tigers-neighborhood---snowflake-day.html|title=Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - Snowflake Day|publisher=PBSKids|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

In 2014 Dusk began work on his ninth studio album, a duet album. Produced by Dusk, it featured a jazz sextet and string orchestra. Musically the album pays homage to the bossa nova genre, with songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2016/02/20/matt-dusk-et-florence-k-une-alliance-naturelle|title=Matt Dusk et Florence K: Une alliance naturelle|last=Godin|first=Sandra|website=Le Journal de Montréal|date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref> The album was recorded and released in 2015 and 2016 three times with different duet partners. In Canada, the album is called ''Quiet Nights'' with French-Canadian singer Florence K and was number one on the Canadian Jazz charts for 16 weeks. It was nominated for an ADSIQ.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musiccanada.wordpress.com/2016/09/15/2016-adisq-nominations/|title=2016 ADISQ Nominations!|date=September 16, 2016|website=Canadian Music Blog|access-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref> In Poland, the album is called ''Just the Two of Us'' with Polish singer Margaret, was certified platinum and won a Roze Gali award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/wyroznienia/platynoweplyty/cd/archiwum.php?year=2016|title=ZPAV :: Bestsellery i wyróżnienia - Wyróżnienia - Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum|last=www.onyx.pl|first=Onyx Sp. z o.o., tel. +48 22 3377222|website=bestsellery.zpav.pl|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127200541/http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/wyroznienia/platynoweplyty/cd/archiwum.php?year=2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Japan, the album is called ''Lost in Rio'' with Japanese singer Karen Aoki.

In 2016 Dusk self-produced his first full-length Christmas album, ''Old School Yule!''. The album included over 100 musicians and the St. Michael's Choir School, his childhood school. The album was certified gold by ZPAV.{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Poland |type=album |award=Gold |artist=Matt Dusk |title=Old School Yule! | certyear=2018 |access-date=June 16, 2023}}

In 2018 Dusk released his twelfth studio album, ''JetSetJazz''. The album was co-written, recorded and produced by Dusk and pays homage to the golden age of travel throughout the 1960s.

In 2020 Dusk released ''Sinatra with Matt Dusk'' and followed it in 2021 with ''Sinatra with Matt Dusk Vol. 2''. The albums were certified platinum and gold by ZPAV, respectively.{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Poland |type=album |award=Platinum |artist=Matt Dusk |title=Sinatra with Matt Dusk | certyear=2022 |access-date=June 16, 2023}}{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Poland |type=album |award=Gold |artist=Matt Dusk |title=Sinatra with Matt Dusk (Vol 2) | certyear=2022 |access-date=June 16, 2023}}

== Discography ==

===Albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN <ref name="CAN">Peak chart positions for albums in Canada: * ''Two Shots'': {{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicCharts/prev_090904_ALBUMS.html|title=Albums : Top 100|website=Jam!|date=September 9, 2004|access-date=December 6, 2025|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041210205946/http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicCharts/prev_090904_ALBUMS.html|archive-date=December 10, 2004}} * ''Peace on Earth'': {{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|title=Albums : Top 100|website=Jam!|date=December 23, 2004|access-date=December 6, 2025}} * ''Back in Town'': {{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|title=Albums : Top 100|website=Jam!|date=June 18, 2006|access-date=December 6, 2025}} * ''Good News'': {{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|title=Albums : Top 100|website=Jam!|date=November 1, 2009|access-date=December 6, 2025}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FRA <ref name="FRA">{{cite web| url=http://www.lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Matt+Dusk| title=Discographie Matt Dusk| publisher=Hung Medien | work=lescharts.com| access-date=May 7, 2014| language=French}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NLD <ref name="NLD">{{cite web| url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Matt+Dusk| title=Discografie Matt Dusk| publisher=Hung Medien | work=dutchcharts.nl| access-date=May 7, 2014| language=Dutch}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| POL <ref name="POL">Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS – Official Retail Sales Chart: * {{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=577 |title=Good News |publisher=OLiS |date=April 5, 2010 |access-date=May 7, 2014| language=Polish}} * {{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=804 |title=My Funny Valentine — The Chet Baker Songbook |publisher=OLiS |date=April 21, 2013 |access-date=May 7, 2014| language=Polish}} * {{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=986&lang=en |title=Just the Two of Us |publisher=OLiS |date=January 6, 2015 |access-date=January 6, 2015| language=English}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Cont. Jazz <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-dusk/chart-history/jcr/|title=Matt Dusk Chart History: Contemporary Jazz Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 6, 2025|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117203515/https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-dusk/chart-history/jcr/|archive-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Jazz <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-dusk/chart-history/jls/|title=Matt Dusk Chart History: Jazz Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 6, 2025|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117220327/https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-dusk/chart-history/jls/|archive-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref> |- !''Live in Concert'' | * Released 1999 * Label: Royal Crown Records * Format: CD (demo reel) | | | | | | | |- ! scope="row" | '''''The Way It Is''''' | * Released: June 4, 2001 * Label: Royal Crown Records * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | '''''Two Shots''''' | * Released: June 15, 2004 * Label: Decca Records * Formats: CD, digital download | 19 || — || 37 || — || 10 || 15 | * MC: Gold{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Canada |artist=Matt Dusk |title=Two Shots |access-date=May 7, 2014}} |- ! scope="row" | '''''Peace on Earth''''' | * Released: November 30, 2004 * Label: Decca Records * Formats: CD, digital download | 81 || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | '''''Back in Town''''' | * Released: June 13, 2006 * Label: Decca Records * Formats: CD, digital download | 17 || — || 38 || — || 7 || 16 | |- ! scope="row" | '''''Good News''''' | * Released: October 27, 2009 * Label: Royal Crown Records * Formats: CD, digital download | 41 || 187 || 92 || 39 || — || — | * ZPAV: Gold{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Poland |type=album |award=Gold |artist=Matt Dusk |title=Good News | certyear=2011 |access-date=May 7, 2014}} |- ! scope="row" | '''''Live from Las Vegas''''' | * Released: May 10, 2011 * Label: Royal Crown Records * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" | '''''My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook''''' | * Released: February 12, 2013 * Label: Royal Crown Records * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || 26 || — || — | * ZPAV: Platinum{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Poland |type=album |award=Platinum|artist=Matt Dusk |title=My Funny Valentine | certyear=2014 |access-date=May 7, 2014}} |- !''Lost in Rio''<ref>{{Citation |title=Matt & Karen - Lost In Rio |date=2015-10-14 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12783181-Matt-Karen-Lost-In-Rio |access-date=2026-05-10 |language=en}}</ref> | * Released: October 14, 2015 * Label: Rambling Records * Formats: CD, digital download | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |- ! scope="row" | '''''Just the Two of Us'' {{small|(with Margaret)}}''' | * Released: November 6, 2015 * Label: Magic, Universal Music Poland * Formats: CD, digital download | — || — || — || 28 || — || — | * ZPAV: Platinum{{Certification Cite Ref |region=Poland |type=album |award=Platinum |artist=Matt Dusk & Margaret|title=Just the Two of Us | certyear=2016 |access-date=September 28, 2016}} |- !''Quiet Nights'' (with Florence K) | * Released February 12, 2016 * Label: Productions J Inc. * Format: CD, digital download |1 | --- | ---- | --- | --- | --- | * #1 on Canadian Jazz Charts (16 weeks) * ADSIQ nomination |- !''Old School Yule!''<ref>{{Citation |title=Matt Dusk - Old School Yule! |date=2016 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9703346-Matt-Dusk-Old-School-Yule |access-date=2026-05-10 |language=en}}</ref> | * Released 2016 * Label: Royal Crown Records, Magic Records * Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | * ZPAV: Gold |- !''JetSetJazz''<ref>{{Citation |title=Matt Dusk - Jet Set Jazz |date=2018 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1526523-Matt-Dusk-Jet-Set-Jazz |access-date=2026-05-10 |language=en}}</ref> | * Released 2018 * Label: Royal Crown Records (Canada), Magic Records (Poland) * Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |- !''Sinatra with Matt Dusk'' | * Released 2020 * Label: Agora Muzyka (Poland) * Format: CD, digital download | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | * ZPAV: Platinum |- !''Sinatra with Matt Dusk Vol. 2'' | * Released 2021 * Label: Agora Muzyka (Poland) * Format: CD, digital download | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | * ZPAV: Gold |- |colspan="9" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Sources == *[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p659890/biography|pure_url=yes}} All Music Biography] - last accessed on July 16, 2011

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{official website|http://www.mattdusk.com}} *{{IMDb name|1682683}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dusk, Matthew}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Singers from Toronto Category:Canadian jazz singers Category:21st-century Canadian male singers Category:21st-century Canadian singers Category:Canadian male jazz musicians