BY JENNIFER HOEGG
Kings County Advertiser/Register
How do you create a soundtrack for an anti-hero?
That was the task for Toronto’s Matt Dusk when he tackled the score for Call Me Fitz.
The 31-year-old jazz singer provides the sound for the show’s deliciously bad title character, played by Jason Priestley.
“Richard Fitzpatrick thinks he’s part of the rat pack - but 30 years too late.”
With his dream of having his own palm trees and a place on the Las Vegas strip, Fitz is “trying to be just as cool as Sinatra, but you just can’t ever be.”
Channeling another era, the Canadian crooner offers classic covers and a few of his own tracks to the first season’s 13 episodes.
“They came to me with the material, and I had to find a way to make it my own.
“As a musician, my pursuit is my craft - performing. TV is a sideline, but its nice to be part of a team.”
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He loved being part of the “creative puzzle,” under the leadership of creator Sheri Elwood’s team, but he did it after filming - not from the show’s New Minas location.
“I have never been out to Wolfville before,” Dusk admitted in an interview on the night of the Call Me Fitz gala at the Al Whittle Theatre Sept. 19. “It’s amazing!”
Dusk has several studio albums and a number of projects on the go, including an upcoming PBS special, Matt Dusk: Live from Las Vegas
He set the mood for cast, crew, community members and VIPs before they viewed the series’ first two episodes Sept. 19, performing two numbers accompanied by Halifax musician Bill Stephenson on keyboard.
Dusk was eagerly awaiting a peek at the finished product along with the rest of the crowd.
“I really hope it’s a good show!”
Call Me Fitz premiered on HBO Sept. 19 and airs Sunday nights. Watch online to catch up with the first episode. The series is shooting its second season now in New Minas.
Click on the "Video" tab to see a message from Matt Dusk.
For more on Call Me Fitz, see our collection of stories, photos and video.
