Playing the changes

Last month, Matt Savage began his second semester at Berklee College of Music. Before setting foot on campus, Savage, who’ll turn 18 this spring, had already established himself as a rising star, having recorded eight CDs, the latest titled “Hot Ticket: Live in Boston,’’ and played the “Today’’ show, Birdland, Lincoln Center, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Winner of multiple ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Awards, he’s jammed with a host of contemporary jazz legends such as Chaka Khan and McCoy Tyner, spent two summers at the prestigious Stanford Jazz Workshop, studied intensively with renowned pianist-composer Charlie Banacos, and been hailed by Jazziz magazine as “a wildly inventive composer.’’

In 2001, Savage was the subject of a Globe feature that captured his astonishing musical talent - while also detailing the harrowing behavioral issues that had caused Savage to be diagnosed, at age 3, with pervasive developmental disorder. PDD is a form of autism characterized by impaired social interaction and hyperactivity; his early childhood was a parent’s waking nightmare, their young child incapable of sitting still or tolerating any loud sound, including music. At the same time, Savage was exhibiting signs of hyperlexia - an unusual facility with words and numbers - and, by age 7, all the earmarks of being a musical savant.

Today, after years of specialized therapies and dietary changes, Savage navigates a daily maze of classes, practice sessions, homework assignments, and dorm life at Berklee. He and his jazz trio, who make a rare local appearance Friday at the Acton Jazz Cafe, squeeze in live performances where and when his school schedule permits. Two weekends ago, Savage flew to Colorado to perform a solo concert in a Denver church before an audience of 800.

Eight years ago, little of this seemed possible. But the Matt Savage story is rapidly evolving from youthful prodigy with a disability to seasoned performer with a bright future.

“It seems so silly in retrospect, now that I’m more serious as a jazz musician,’’ says Savage, referring to his earlier image as a cute kid who could play piano like a pint-sized Chick Corea.

On a break between classes, Savage has chosen an empty storefront for an interview with a reporter. He’s acclimated to the bustle of city life, he says, and shows little outward signs of anxiety, maintaining eye contact through most of a chat about his college life and musical ambitions. He does admit to worrying about “saying the wrong thing,’’ though, and describes his autism as “almost a gimmick’’ used to get his young talents noticed.

“There’s still the issue of communicating with friends,’’ he says guardedly. “I really don’t have much of it anymore, though, thanks to the therapies my mom put me through.’’ Some of this stuff “is kind of personal,’’ he offers, looking downward. “I just love life. I love being here.’’

Later, on the soundstage at Berklee’s Cafe 939 on Boylston Street, Savage demonstrates the power and fluidity of his maturing playing style as he launches into “Picturesque,’’ one of his original compositions. Studious-looking but never stiff, he plays the piece in a lilting, expressive manner that lends its softer edges a big, impressive sound. After finishing, Savage says what he loves most about jazz is its spontaneity, a quality embedded in every note he’s just played.

Diane Savage, Matt’s mother and business manager, says that three years ago she and her husband could hardly have imagined the progress he’s shown as a teenager. In 2002 the Savages moved from Sudbury to a farm in Francestown, N.H., where they raise and sell organic beef while home-schooling Matt’s younger sister. Savage, who was also home-schooled, earned his GED last year.

“The music and the travel have helped him a lot,’’ Diane Savage says. “And the more he’s shown he could solve problems on his own, the more we’ve been able to pull back. It’s really been harder for me than for him, though, because Matt’s early years were so intense, his behavioral issues so extreme.’’

John Funkhouser, a Berklee professor and bassist in Savage’s trio, remembers concerts where a younger Matt might have an emotional meltdown backstage or be found wandering aimlessly around a concert hall prior to a performance.

“His being able to exist at Berklee - without his parents around - is a miracle to me,’’ says Funkhouser, who played no part in steering Savage toward Berklee and only occasionally sees him around campus. “As Matt’s evolved onstage, his social life has grown too. He’s learned how to talk onstage to the point that he’s almost a ham now.’’

At Berklee, Savage and his remarkable back story have seemingly flown under the radar. The college’s public relations department was unaware of his disability, or his professional resume, until a reporter brought them to the staff’s attention. Suzanna Sifter, his private piano tutor at Berklee, seemed surprised to hear Savage was anything other than an usually young, and blazingly talented, college student.

“Everything I ask him to do, he takes to the nth degree,’’ Sifter remarked. “His brain works very fast; his thinking is very quick. People at Berklee noticed Matt at first because he’s so young, but now he’s noticed by the way he plays. He clearly has the ability to create high art.’’

Sifter recalled tutoring another Berklee student, Tony DeBlois, who, although blind and autistic, has carved out a notable jazz career. DeBlois graduated in 1996 and was profiled in the 1997 CBS Movie of the Week “Journey of the Heart.’’

Savage says his own music is shedding some of its early bebop influences and incorporating more Latin grooves and pop textures. Berklee offers plenty of opportunity for after-school jam sessions and classroom experiences like the fusion ensemble he’s currently playing with. “I have some new songs I’m planning to record, too,’’ he says, “some I’ll be doing at the Acton gig.’’

Five years from now, says Savage, he hopes to be leading a band, releasing more albums, attracting new listeners, and playing concert halls across the United States. “But I also want to expand - maybe play with some insane virtuoso rock band.’’

Savage’s other goal is helping young people with autism realize their full potential. Proceeds from his concerts and CDs have helped several organizations involved with autism research and awareness. He’s also joined a Boston Conservatory advisory board helping autistic kids and adults receive music tutoring.

“Matt really wants to be a mentor,’’ his mother says. “And, if I may say so, he’s an excellent teacher.’’

Joseph P. Kahn can be reached at jkahn@globe.com.