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More than 2,400 fans at Dallas' Palladium Ballroom whooped with laughter on Saturday during "Love of My Life," the opening number of Brian McKnight's set. It was delivered with screechy tone-deaf flatness in a clip featuring American Idol wanna-be Maurice Thomas, and drove home the point that nobody, but nobody, puts it down like the original.
So when the real Mr. McKnight descended a red velvet staircase singing "Used to Be My Girl," the standing ovation that greeted him was a mixture of both gratitude and relief.
His keyboardist, Matt Cusson, showed why he's the first artist signed to Mr. McKnight's label, with soulfully sublime versions of Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You" and D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar," earning cheers when he slyly interpolated its chorus ("I want some of your brown sugar, even though I'm just white sugar...").
Mr. Cusson and the other four members of Mr. McKnight's band flawlessly accompanied the singer as he launched into the late Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much" and strummed along on lead guitar.
- Dallas Morning News
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Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
The humility that Matt Cusson exudes never hints at the wealth of talent that he embodies. Outwardly unassuming, magic happens as soon as Matt starts to sing. Matt has floored audiences with his vocal acrobatics, range, and control, but his one-of-a-kind voice is only the beginning. Matt is also a highly accomplished pianist, guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer, and dancer. Perhaps most importantly, however, he writes songs that touch the listeners very soul. His music hits deep, with unique chord combinations, inspiring rhythms, and an uplifting message.
It is difficult to place Matt's music into any specific category. His style is fresh, sophisticated, and unique. He credits Stevie Wonder, Djavan, Take 6, James Taylor, Miles Davis, and Nat King Cole with heavily influencing his music, along with more contemporary artists such as Dave Matthews, Avishai Cohen, Dangelo and John Mayer (a friend from Berklee College of Music with whom Matt has played along side).
Matt began singing at the age of two, and started performing in public at the age of eleven. He began his formal studies at the Berklee College of Music in 1999, where he was chosen to perform at the prestigious Singers Showcase (which highlights the colleges best eight singers). In 2000, Matt was discovered by one of his biggest musical inspirations, Brian McKnight, who flew Matt to his home in Los Angeles the day after hearing Matt perform his original music, to collaborate musically. According to McKnight, Matt has an incredible gift.
After studying at Berklee, Matt was given opportunities to perform alongside such accomplished artists as James Taylor, Norah Jones, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, The Beach Boys and Babyface, among many others. In 2004, Matt was chosen as the only male singer to perform with Christina Aguilera on her summer tour Exposed. He has also worked with Arnold McCuller, a well-known recording artist and background singer, who exclaims, Matt is a wonderful songwriter and an exquisite singer, with soul and a unique style for song delivery, believability, and sincere interpretation. Matt has also worked regularly with Livingston Taylor, who enthusiastically refers to Matt as the Michael Jordan of music. Matt is now doing many shows and writing with Capitol Recording Artist, Javier, who says about Matt, "Matt Cusson is honestly one of the most talented musicians I've ever met. When I heard him live for the 1st time, I was blown away not only by how well he sang and played, but how easy he makes it seem. I became an instant fan. There are a lot of artists out there, but few even come close to the amount of talent he has. He combines Jazz, R&B, Pop like nobody I know. He's so good he makes you want to go home and practice your scales. If you haven't had a chance to hear Matt, you're missing out on a world class artist." Matt has also done many shows and much writing with Cheskea Recording Artists, and Billboard Award Nominee, Marta Gomez. Marta exclaims, Matts voice is so pure and clear that it almost sounds like a whisper; as if he was telling you a secret, singing just for you. I perfectly remember the first time I heard him. The sound that came out of his mouth was so unique that every person around him had to stop what they were doing and just listen to that voice that came from another world. Suddenly, I had to close my eyes and could not stop smiling, it was like I had to appreciate his music with all my senses and not miss a single note.
In 1999, Matt was one of the 12 people chosen out of hundreds to perform at the historical and highly competitive Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre in New York City, and went on to win the competition three times. Matt has also performed on The Daily Beat with Allure, BET Live with Avant, as well as Bobby Jones Gospel and the 2003 U.S. Open Tennis Tour with well-known group Here II Praise. Matt also received high acclaim when appearing as a musical guest on the number-one daytime television show, ABCs The View. Host Meredith Vierra eagerly proclaimed, Matt is a star in the making!
Today, Matt is working on his debut CD and continues to perform his original music as well as timeless favorites in prestigious venues all over the country, such as Tanglewood and B.B. King Blues Club on 42nd Street in New York City. He spends most of the year traveling all of the major cities in America, and places such as Cabo St. Lucas, The Virgin Islands, British Columbia and other venues all over the world to perform! As Matt pursues his musical career, he has caught the attention of many industry greats, including Randy Jackson, Denise Rich, and Clive Davis, as well as every record label that has been introduced to his unique music and talent. Anyone who has ever heard of the name Matt Cusson, knows of his tremendous and unique, extraordinary talent that truly touches anyone who listens.
It is hard to find words that do justice to Matt's uncanny ability to both compose and interpret m
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