Singer/songwriter/pianist Matt Cusson is a brilliant musician, a master interpreter/arranger, and his voice has an uncanny way of touching your soul. Winner of the 2009 "John Lennon Songwriting Contest's" top annual prize - "Maxell of The Year Award" for the jazz ballad, "One of Those Nights", which is currently nominated for an Oasis Contemporary Jazz Award, and will be released by Spectra Records in March of 2011.
The list of performers Cusson has worked with is inspiring. Artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Babyface and more recently, supporting performer with his mentor and friend, R&B sensation, Brian McKnight.
Cusson is a three-time "Amateur Night at The Apollo" winner, and has performed on "Live with Regis and Kelly", Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker", ABC Television's "The View" and was a featured performer on the international "Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror Tribute tour" on 2010-11.
Matt Cusson Bio
Matt Cusson has people talking.
He's a star in the making, a singer/songwriter, with a Voice - sexy, soulful, rich and poetic. He can play anything from the classics to his own originals and blow listeners away.
Those are just a few things being said about Matt. People are not only singing the praises of this incredible young musician, but are quickly becoming devoted fans, ready to tell everyone they know about Matt.
Thousands of fans waited breathlessly for Matt's debut solo CD, released in December 2008, showcasing Matt's incredible songwriting ability, stunning arrangements, and vocal talent as both artist and arranger/producer. This album continues to receive fanfare and recognition, with "One Of These Nights" winning the internationally acclaimed John Lennon Songwriting Contest for best jazz song of the year. It holds true for fans all around the world, along with fellow musicians and talented artists and for people like James Taylor, Brian McKnight, "Today" host Meredith Vierra and "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson - all of whom say the same thing: Matt Cusson is an extraordinary musician, a remarkable singer, a gifted piano player and a star on the rise.
Most musicians fit nicely into one genre. Matt does not. He's that unique sort of talent that can do it all, with a musical ear only a handful of musicians are born with. His style contains a breadth of influences - from R & B, soul and gospel to jazz, pop and rock. A self-taught piano and guitar player, Matt can breeze through songs with his soothing style leaving listeners yearning for more. He can sing with enough soul to wow Brian McKnight or even slip into a jazzy number with the coolness of Harry Connick Jr.
Matt practically came out of the womb ready to be a musician, singing at age 2. Soon after, he was soaking up the music of Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, The Beatles, Djavan, Take 6 and numerous others.
His passion for music led him to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he played with John Mayer, among other well known artists. While studying at Berklee, Matt was selected to be a part of the Singer Showcase, which highlights the school's best vocalists.
It's with that education, a deep sense of history and unmistakable talent that Matt is beginning to make his mark on the music world today. Currently, he is touring the world with Brian McKnight - who discovered Matt in 2000 and has been a mentor ever since. Matt was chosen to tour with Christiana Aguilera and has shared stages and studios with James and Livingston Taylor, Stanley Clarke, Babyface, Bebe Winans, Jon B. and Jessica Simpson, as well as many others. He's performed live on "The View" and "Live with Regis and Kelly" , and won "Amateur Night" at the Apollo on three separate occasions.
He's the complete package: rich musicianship, awesome voice, incredible range, charisma and most importantly, he writes truly amazing songs that hook listeners in, leaving them wanting more.
Join many other excited listeners who've purchased Matt Cusson's CD, now available on iTunes, Amazon and CD baby! One listen to Matt and you'll know what everyone's talking about. You'll probably even be talking yourself - telling everyone you know about the incredible talent of Matt Cusson and quickly adding your name to the list of fans and friends. It's clear... Matt will be writing great music for many years to come and is an artist who's here to stay!