Matt Savage | |
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 Savage in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthew James Savage |
| Born | (1992-05-12)May 12, 1992 (age 32) Sudbury, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, teacher |
| Instrument(s) | Piano,keyboard |
| Website | www |
Matthew James "Matt" Savage (born May 12, 1992) is an Americanautistic savant musician.
Born inSudbury, Massachusetts,[1] he is the son of Diane and Lawrence "Larry" Savage.[2]Savage was a precocious infant who walked early and learned to read by the age of 18 months.[3] He was diagnosed withpervasive developmental disorder, a form ofautism, at age three.[4] He did not like any noises or music during his early childhood.[5]
At age six, Savage taught himself to read piano music.[6] He studiedclassical piano for less than a year before discovering jazz, which became his main focus.
He and his younger sibling were bothhome schooled.[2] He began studying at theNew England Conservatory of Music inBoston, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1999. He continued his classical studies as well.
Among Savage's talents arehyperlexia[1] andperfect pitch.[7] Coupled with his extremely high intelligence, these abilities have allowed him to achieve other distinctions as well, such as winning a statewidegeography bee.[2]
Despite his young age and his autism, and even without formal instruction in musical composition,[7] Savage is an accomplished musician and composer. He has released twelve albums as a solo performer, as leader of the Matt Savage Trio and as leader of various sized ensembles. By the age of 14, he had also performed withChaka Khan and other popular singers.[8] His compositions are very approachable and often humorous.[citation needed]
Savage has received many awards, including being signed in 2003 toBösendorfer pianos. He was the only child to be so recognized in the company's 188-year history.
Savage has toured the world, performing for heads of state and others, and appearing on numerous television and radio programs such asLate Show with David Letterman,Late Night with Conan O'Brien,The Today Show, andAll Things Considered. In 2006, at age 14, he was featured on a CNN report about the human brain, in which he was defined as aprodigious savant, as opposed to the other types ofsavants.[8] Savage has also appeared in several documentaries about savants.
In 2007, he played with Scottish folk songwriter/singerAl Stewart, on piano.[9]
In 2009, Savage enrolled atBerklee for continued studies. The following year, in November, he prepared to release his ninth CD.[citation needed]
In December 2012, Savage received hisBachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in Performance (Piano) from Berklee College of Music.
In 2014, he composed and recorded the score for a full-length documentary film,Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story.
In May 2015, he received hisMaster of Music (M.Mus.) in Jazz Performance (Piano) from the Manhattan School of Music.
Currently, Savage balances his professional music career with teaching.
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