Matthew Levon "Matt" Sallee (born February 11, 1994) is the bass in Pentatonix, replacing former member Avi Kaplan. The first album Sallee is featured on is A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe. He is featured in the bonus tracks "Deck the Halls" and "How Great Thou Art (feat. Jennifer Hudson)".
Bio[]
Matt Sallee was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Ernest, Sr. and Tammy Sallee, and raised in La Plata, Maryland. He has one older brother, Ernest, Jr. and a younger sister, Tamira. He has been singing his entire life. He started off singing in church at a very young age under the direction of his father who was is a music pastor. He was involved in church activities, then went on to do many shows and musicals in his schools and around the Southern Maryland area.
While in high school, Sallee participated in numerous choirs and joined an all-male contemporary a cappella group called The Ramtations. He also played the role of Tony in a school production of "West Side Story" two weeks after the original lead's unexpected death. During his senior year, Sallee and his group, The Ramtations, attended a Pentatonix concert at SingStrong, a notable three-day a cappella festival. The Ramtations achieved second place in the competition, which earned them front-row seats to the Pentatonix performance. Sallee described the experience as memorable, noting that he was already familiar with all of Pentatonix’s songs and found the opportunity to watch their live show both exciting and inspiring.
After completing high school, Matt Sallee attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he became a member of the a cappella group Pitch Slapped. During his junior year, the group performed his arrangement of Nick Jonas’ “Jealous” on Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent,” advancing to the judge cuts. Christine Smit, a former member, noted that Sallee consistently demonstrated talent and contributed significantly to the group’s arrangements.
Following graduation, Sallee worked as a wedding singer with The House Jacks. He enjoys singing all genres and prides himself for his versatility to bring whatever style of music best suits the audience.
Career[]
Following the departure of former bass Avi Kaplan, Pentatonix conducted a worldwide search for a new member, ultimately selecting Sallee to join the group four months later. Initially, Sallee was contacted by a producer who was seeking a tour member for an a cappella group. After submitting an audio audition, Sallee was invited to Los Angeles for an in-person audition with Pentatonix. Of the nine auditionees, four, including Sallee, were invited to sing with the group. Sallee recalled that he was added to the audition process at the last minute. Scott Hoying commented that Sallee immediately stood out for his energy and stage presence.
Three months later, Sallee relocated to Los Angeles to join Pentatonix for their holiday tour and to participate in the NBC special “A Very Pentatonix Christmas.” During this period, he also recorded two songs with Jennifer Hudson for their holiday album. Sallee described the experience as a dream come true, marking the beginning of his career with the group.
On the final day of the 2017 holiday tour at the Boch Center in Boston, MA. Sallee was officially named the newest member of Pentatonix. During the performance, Sallee and beatboxer, Kevin Olusola opened “Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!” with choreographed hip-hop movements, contributing to the group’s dynamic stage presence. Sallee maintained the bass line throughout the concert, accompanying the group as they performed holiday classics such as “Deck the Halls,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “Angels We Have Heard On High.” The group shared their enthusiasm for his addition, expressing that they had long anticipated this moment. Following his appointment, Sallee contributed to Pentatonix’s cover album, participated in a two-month concert tour, and appeared with the group on nationally televised programs including PBS’ “A Capitol Fourth,” the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and NBC’s Christmas Special.
Personal life[]
He announced his engagement to Sarah Bishop on October 22, 2020. They were married on January 2, 2022. On February 11, 2024, they announced that they are expecting their first child.
On March 18, 2024, they revealed that they are having a girl. Sallee and his wife announced the birth of their daughter, Maliyah Michele Sallee, on August 2, 2024, on Instagram.
External links[]
Instagram: mattsalleemusic
Gallery[]
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