Jazz composer and Bösendorfer piano artist Matt Savage and his Trio will celebrate his 16th birthday at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 W. 68th Street, NYC, on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at 8 pm with an electrifying performance of award winning original compositions and jazz standards. The concert is free of charge and open to the community. Suggested donations ($20 / $10 students) will benefit Kulanu, or “All of Us,” the innovative weekly course offered by Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, open to all Jewish children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Diagnosed with autism at age three, Matt’s journey from the depths of the disorder to international Jazz artist at 16 is an extraordinary one. His young career has already led to appearances on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brian,” NPR’s “Piano Jazz” with Marian McPartland, and performances at famed New York Jazz venues including the Blue Note, Birdland, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. Matt Savage brings new life to the music of jazz greats, past and present. His enormous respect for their legendary bodies of work inspires and fuels his own unique jazz compositions and interpretations. As People Magazine astutely wrote in 2002, “…jazz phenom Matt Savage unlocks a door to genius using 88 keys.” In 2008, Matt Savage and his trio won nation-wide recognition for their sixth album, Hot Ticket:Live in Boston, which reached #2 in live jazz album sales on Amazon.com and #11 on the Jazzweek charts.

Kulanu, a weekly Religious School class offered by Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, is open to all children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The curriculum is designed to engage children in home and synagogue celebrations, and to gain knowledge of and comfort with Jewish traditions, rituals, and culture. The class incorporates behavioral principles including visual supports and positive reinforcement. Through hands-on, lively activities, students explore the themes of Jewish holidays, life-cycle events, and Jewish identity.

This concert will showcase the extraordinary artistry and accomplishments of Matt Savage and will highlight the latest innovations that address the social and educational needs of children with ASD and their families.
For more information, contact: Symi Rom-Rymer at 212-877-4050 x 266, communications@swfs.org