Welcome to Matt Dusk’s party. Whether you are part of his concert audience or listening to his latest CD, Good News (Universal Music), Dusk wants you to “Get into the groove and have a good time.” The 12-song collection is a mix of pop hits and original material sung in Dusk’s smooth, sophisticated style, which has been compared to that of crooners like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.
The Toronto native became passionate about jazz as a teenager. “My parents enrolled me into St. Michael’s Choir School to pursue my musical interests,” Dusk explains. But it was performing at a talent night at an all-girls’ school that gave him a taste of what was to come. “After my performance, the girls went nuts! I said, I don’t care what I’m singing, I love this!”
View the photo gallery of Matt Dusk's home.
Dusk furthered his music education at York University, where he had Oscar Peterson as a guest lecturer. What advice did the legendary musician offer Dusk? “Persevere because you love it, not because you want to make money. It takes dedication, hard work and focus to make it.”
For this, his third major label release, Dusk wore different hats, including co-producer and co-writer of three selections. He also travelled to Europe to select songs and collaborators. “I’m not just Sinatra-like anymore,” he says. “I’m expanding my repertoire. I wanted to find songs that moved me.”
Dusk invited Star Spaces into his home.
Q: How would you describe your home in one word?
A: Entertaining.
Q: Tell us about your home.
A: It is a ranch-style bungalow with a finished basement. It was built in 1962. I’d describe the style as ’60s glam. Special features include a Mediterranean-themed kitchen, a whisky bar in the basement and an outdoor pool. I moved in May 2009.
Q: What attracted you to this space?
A: The open-concept layout of the house. There is lots of room for entertaining. Everyone feels that they are part of the party. I love the kitchen – you feel like your somewhere exotic.
Q: Who shares your home?
A: My girlfriend. And a few spiders … they are not pets!
Q: What is your favourite room and why?
A: The kitchen because there are so many windows. The way that it is laid out gives it a Spanish-resort vibe. My specialty is cooking breakfast.
Q: How would you describe your decorating style?
A: Think of old Hollywood, with terracotta tiles, dark curtains and palm trees. I enjoy old things … things with stories behind them. I have always been attracted to the style of the past. Guests immediately know when they enter this house that a music lover lives here. The art on the walls are paintings of saxophonists, bass players and classical composers.
Q: What is your fondest memory in this home?
A: So far, finishing the renovation. I wanted the basement to be the winter cave, cozy and comfortable. Besides adding my recording studio, the main addition was the laundry room and bar.
Q: What’s the one item in this house you can’t live without?
A: My scotch bar.
Q: Weekends at home, what are we most likely to find you doing?
A: Entertaining friends, playing poker, playing Rock Band, and a little Saturday Night Live to wrap up the evening.
Q: If your walls could talk, what would they say?
A: Can we please have some privacy? There are always people here!
View the photo gallery of Matt Dusk's home.
