The gift of music Matt Savage represents the best of the Wolf School BY BOB GULLA

The Wolf School is a small, independent day school in East Providence, founded in 1999 to provide an innovative educational environment for kids with multiple learning differences. Early on, the goal was to create a school that would provide children with the opportunity to reach their full academic and social potential, and they’ve succeeded in doing that in a spectacular way. The founding members of the board, including educators, clinical specialists, and a family, have created a model that emphasized the development of core-grade level skills taught through a therapeutically guided curriculum. As a result, Wolf School kids make significant gains. More detailed information about the school’s history, mission, and methodologies is available at their site: www.thewolfschool.org.

What you need to know now is that the school will hold a fundraiser on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 pm to keep the train a-rollin’. The event is "An Evening of Jazz to Benefit the Wolf School," and it will be held at Rhode Island College’s Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence. Performers will include the Matt Savage Trio with guest drummer Max Weinberg — you know, the E Street Band guy and Conan O’Brien bandleader. Savage is a 13-year-old virtuoso jazz pianist whose incredible gifts have entertained and inspired thousands of people across the world. His accomplishments are even more remarkable in light of his being diagnosed with autism. Throughout his short career, he has already performed with artists such as Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, and Kenny G and opened for Shawn Colvin. Matt taught himself how to read piano music and began studying classical piano in 1998 at the age of 8. He and his trio have so far produced three recordings, and Matt has two solo discs. You can listen to samples of his work by visiting his website at www.savagerecords.com.

There will be reserved seating only for the show. General admission tickets are $25 and $50 and can be obtained by calling 401.456.8144. Those interested in being a patron of the event as well as those whose company might be willing to provide corporate sponsorship should contact the Wolf School at 401.432.9940.

‘DRINKING AND SINKING’

Mark Lambert originally described his band this way: "Inspired by Quint’s rendition of ‘Spanish Ladies’ in the film Jaws, Sharks Come Cruisin’ combines traditional songs of sailing, whaling, drinking and sinking with an acoustic guitar and lots of hollering." Lambert continues: "Things have changed a little since I put that description together. We now have a bass player and a drummer, but the drinking and sinking songs are the same. Labeling our music ‘punk rock pirate songs’ makes it easy to get a picture, but I don’t think it does what we do justice." With that sort of premise, we can understand why mere description of this insanity doesn’t make the grade. Playing together since January of last year, SCC have been refining what can only be called their "shtick" for almost two years. This Saturday (the 8th), they’ll be playing for free at Jake’s so you can witness it firsthand. "Sharks Come Cruisin’ shows are more about the experience than the band," says Lambert. "It’s almost like the audience is the band. When we play we set up two artist easels on both sides of the stage. The easels hold cue cards with the words to the chorus of each song." The band’s renditions of sea shanties are, of course, eminently singable — which, ideally, is what happens when the patrons have had a touch of grog.

WANDERING EYE

The fine folks at 75orLess have another really cool show scheduled for Friday (the 7th). NYC’s Man in Gray, billed as somewhere between Sonic Youth and the Pixies, are a young band with lots of potential. Joining them will be Chicago space-rockers Dreamend, with local bands Six-Star General and Mustache Ride opening. Admission is free and the show is at Houlihan’s Tavern, 28 Water Street, East Providence.

The Rhode Island Songwriters Association will present the "First Fridays" showcase from 8 to 10 pm at Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House, 209 Douglas Avenue, Providence (www.brooklyncoffeeteahouse.com). The show will feature Alan Hague (www.myspace.com/alan hague), Jackie O’Brien (www.illustriousday.com), and Kristi Martel (www.kmetal.net). For more info call 401.575.2284.

On Friday, Grandevolution, SPIDER #3, and PARABOLA, the latter a female-fronted tribute to Tool, play the Blackstone in Cumberland. On Saturday at the same spot, it’s 3 Feet Short, Daddie Long Legs, 6 Twenty 6, the latter an excellent new original band formed by members of Itchy Fish.In this month’s "Songwriters In the Round Series" at AS220, it’s Stephanie Tolley, Alan Hague, Dan Gonzalez, and Ryan Fitzsimmons. The theme for October is "Robots." The show starts at 7 pm on Sunday and admission is only $5. Two other writers from the Rhode Island Songwriter Association join Ryan each month. A third spot is open to anyone, not just RISA members. If you’re interested in performing, contact Ryan at songwriters@ryanfitzsimmons.com. (Shows are booked at least two months in advance.)

Providence area up-and-comer Lindsay Mac recently completed her first national tour, with more than 50 dates covering 25 states. It began with a sold-out CD release party at Tazza back in May and comes back into town on Monday (the 10th) at 9 pm at Tazza.

The Bohemian Quartet’s engagement at Caspita in Exeter has been extended due to popular demand. They will be there October 12 and 19. Listen to some gypsy jazz and enjoy the local cuisine!

E-mail me with your music news: big.daddy1@cox.net.