Meet Matt Savage

By Tasha Cleaver

International jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and speaker Matt Savage is coming to play and speak in Westfield, IN, on September 12, 2021. His performance kicks off the “Rebuilding Carter’s Play Place” campaign with event organizers Carter’s Crew and LEL Home Services.

Matt vibes with the world by sharing his music and inspiring people by discussing his journey with autism spectrum disorder. He deeply connects with Carter’s vision of “Play Beyond Boundaries,” and says it is thrilling to help kick off their campaign to build a new facility after a temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The original building is no longer large enough to house their growing operations, so the new play place will open in spring 2022.

The event will take place at Chatham Hills Country Club, located in Westfield. Beautifully designed, the club will lend its accessibility and top-notch hospitality to the inclusiveness of the concert. The event will include a silent auction, a resource and vendor fair sponsored by Special Needs Living Magazine from 12:30 – 2:30 pm and a VIP reception from 2:00 – 3:00 pm. The show begins at 3:00 pm featuring local performers, with Matt and his band playing from 3:45 - 5:30 pm. The City of Westfield stated that “Westfield is a great place to live, work and play because we believe our community is built on how we support those we serve. Events are meant to be enjoyed by ALL, so we work hard to plan our events with compassion and a commitment to our community.”

LEL Home Services, a leading provider of Medicaid waiver services, purchased Carter’s Play Place in 2019 to continue to provide inclusive play for all in the community. After closing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Carmela Toler, LEL Chief Executive Officer, saw the growing need for a larger space to house Carter’s programs, which include recreational play, therapies (occupational, music, recreational), respite care, camps, classes, party rental space, and special events. Carmela said, “I hope to continue to learn from the people I serve and to ultimately leave behind a legacy of how we should value individuals with disabilities and that doing so is not that hard. That’s why Carter’s Play Place is essential. Everyone deserves the good things of life.” The concert features Matt and his band playing jazz standards along with some of his original work and also includes a motivational presentation. “I will tell the story of my childhood as a musician on the autism spectrum and contrast that with a few tidbits about my current life as a touring pianist, composer, and educator,” he said. LEL and Carter’s Crew, the nonprofit foundation supporting play for all ability levels, feel it’s invaluable for Matt to share how unique challenges can be opportunities for great successes. Matt adds, “I’ll primarily be speaking about each transition to a new phase of my life and how music has influenced each new move and career change.”

Matt grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. At age three, he was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a diagnostic category which includes autism. He says he could not tolerate sounds, especially music, during his early childhood, so it was surprising that within a few years, he would grow into a musical genius. Early intervention and family support were paramount in his success as he spent the next years growing his skills. At age 6 ½, Matt began immersing himself in music, and thanks to his high intelligence, was flourishing at an astonishing pace. He remembers teaching himself to read music and play piano in a single night.

Recognized as a jazz prodigy at only eight years old, Matt had already shared a stage with some of the biggest names in jazz while most kids his age were just starting to pick up an instrument. Now, at age 29, after a 20-year career, Matt enjoys representing Bösendorfer and Yamaha and performing with musicians of all skill levels. He has appeared on television shows like “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Today,” “20/20,” and the Discovery Channel, and shared a stage with Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, and Wynton Marsalis, to name a few.

But Matt’s true joy comes from teaching others about jazz. Besides touring the world tickling the 88 black and white keys on a piano, Matt currently teaches at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston and Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. He recently released Splash Variations, the 13th album from Savage Records, his music company. The album debuts the Matt Savage Groove Experiment, his new jazz fusion project with nine fellow musicians, and is available at www. savagerecords.com.

“I hope that the lesson people take away from this big event is that abilities and creative capabilities are always in flux - and that disability should never be seen as permanent,” Matt said. “We are always learning and growing as human beings.”

Support Matt and Carter’s Play Place as they kick off the campaign by going to www.ccrewindiana.org. You can purchase tickets for September 12 or make a contribution if you can’t attend in person. For questions, email tasha@ccrewindiana.org.