Meet Halifax-based vocalist and instrumentalist, Daniel Matto.
You can find out more about Daniel’s music online on Soundcloud or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
20 Questions with Daniel Matto
1. Your first job.
Washing dishes for my Auntie Rosa, an amazing chef and amazing God Mother.
2. The job you always wanted as a child?
3. Your pet peeve.
Rude people.
4. Your hero.
My dad, Armando Matto.
5. Your biggest indulgence.
Ice cream.
6. One thing no one knows about you.
I once played a tree in a school play.
7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
Hungry.
9. If they made a movie about your life, who would it star?
Ralph Macchio.
10. Hero or villain?
Hero (hopefully).
11. Your life’s motto/mantra.
12. The last book you read.
“You Never Give Me Your Money: the Beatles after the breakup” by Peter Doggett.
13. The song getting the most play on your Spotify playlist right now.
“Baby, I Love Your Way” by Peter Frampton.
14. If you were a cartoon character, what cartoon character would you be?
The dad from Bluey.
15. What will it say on your grave marker?
“I can’t believe he ate the whole thing.”
16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Jim Croce and Frank Sinatra.
17. Your idea of happiness.
Enjoying good food and good wine with my family.
18. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your twenty-year-old self?
Be a good person and appreciate your family. And start investing now!
19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
My beautiful children Domenic and Leia.
20. To be or not to be?
Meet Daniel Matto
As an instrumentalist, Daniel Matto performed and toured throughout Australia, Sweden
and Finland in big bands and other ensembles. Daniel then realized his true musical
passion was singing and went on to study voice at the Australian Conservatory of
Music in Sydney.
As a jazz vocalist, Daniel started a lounge-style band, The Martini Orchestra, one that
mixed original songs with tunes from the likes of Burt Bacharach and Sinatra. His vocal
chops soon caught the attention of some of Australia’s leading jazz musicians, including
internationally-acclaimed pianist Dave MacRae and singer Joy Yates, who became
something of a mentor. He went on to perform with Yates and MacRae at some high-
profile jazz festivals and events in Australia and New Zealand.
When Daniel migrated to Halifax in 2007, the land Down Under waved goodbye to one
of its most promising young jazz vocalists. Daniel now calls Halifax home, performing
regularly in clubs and festivals on the East Coast. Word of his charm as a performer
quickly spread and as a result he has performed as a guest soloist with Symphony
Nova Scotia and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.
Daniel showcases a unique style of jazz through original compositions, standards and
rarities. His debut album, I’m Old Fashioned, was nominated for Jazz Recording of the
Year in the 2010 Music Nova Scotia Awards and the 2011 East Coast Music Awards.
Daniel’s latest album, Groovin’ with The DMQ, was released in Spring 2013 and was
also nominated for Jazz Recording of the Year in the 2013 Music Nova Scotia Awards
and 2014 East Coast Music Awards.