by Debbie Tuma

Matt Cossentino, better known to local audiences as "Matt Coss," is a talented young singer, actor, comedian, and impressionist, who has performed on stages from New Jersey to Montauk.
Having grown up in Montauk, Cossentino is a long-time member of the Montauk Theater Productions, and can be seen almost every Thursday night singing karaoke at Gurney's Inn, and almost every Friday night doing the same at Liar's Saloon. He now lives in Springs.

But unlike most other singers his age, of 37, who prefer rock or hip-hop, Cossentino loves the music of the 1940s and 50s He considers himself a "crooner," and loves the romantic music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, and more recently, of Michael Buble and Harry Connick, Jr.

"I feel connected to the crooners, and this is the era that intrigues me," said Cossentino, who also dons a Fedora hat, a suit and tie, when he does his classy Sinatra act. With his Italian-Irish good looks, he somehow looks every bit the part, seeming mature beyond his years. He likes the romance of the 40s and 50s, which had a hopefulness and an innocence.

"I have to admit I'm a romantic at heart," he adds. And right now, he is excited about releasing his second CD, this December, in which he sings songs of his favorites, including Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Buble.

"My new CD is a tribute to the crooners," said Cossentino, who released his first CD of similar songs about a year ago. When asked the reason for his passion over these 40s icons, he smiles, "Frank Sinatra and these other crooners are the most difficult to sing, because there is so much emotion and the timing has to be right. Sinatra was known for his unique phrasing, and he's hard to copy-he's like another dimension. This was also a way for me to go solo, as opposed to being in a band."

Some of the songs on his new CD include Sinatra's "Summer Wind," and "New York, New York," and also Michael Buble's "Sway."

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