When
the acclaimed saxophonist, flutist and composer Hailey Niswanger talks about
forming her mindful and fiery electric band, MAE.SUN, whose new album is Vol.
2: Into the Flow, she returns often to ideas of transformation, gratitude and
unity. “I felt like I finally stepped into a new version of myself that was
100-percent authentic and free,” she says. “MAE.SUN really feels like I’m
fulfilling my potential and my purpose.”
Reflecting
her middle name, Mae, and Sun, the “second heart that connects all life,” the
group’s concept extended from her studies of Zen Master Thích Nhât Hanh, a
revered spiritual leader and peace activist. MAE.SUN’s 2017 debut, Vol. 1:
Inter-be, was an inspired exploration of her newfound consciousness—a prayer
for peace and a wish that all of humanity could discover its oneness. As
DownBeat commented in its rave review, “[L]istening all the way through
[serves] as a compelling guide for meditation.”
Vol. 2:
Into the Flow is the result of Niswanger’s consciousness being tested by the
unavoidable trials of life. In the midst of profound personal, spiritual and
even geographical life changes—earlier this year, she relocated to L.A. after
years on the Brooklyn scene—she began a deep inward search. “I finally started
being able to see myself for me,” she says. As a person and an artist, she
worked toward a place where she could “release into this idea that your life is
set for you—that we chose our lives before we got here,” she explains. “You
have your own flow that you need to give in to.”
Submitting
to that natural, inevitable flow, she was reminded “to not give in to the
pressures of society, by getting caught up in fears, anxieties and stigmas that
can hold us back.” That notion of flow all but defines music as well—a positive
force that moves into its creators and cycles back out into the atmosphere.
As with
Inter-be, Niswanger designed Into the Flow to be experienced best in one
uninterrupted listen, and she’s aided in this mission by a genre-bending band
she feels honored to helm. The lineup includes Niswanger on soprano saxophone
and flute, vibraphonist Nikara Warren, guitarist Andrew Renfroe, keyboardist
Axel Laugart, bassist Aaron Liao and drummer David Frazier Jr, with Jake
Sherman on additional synths. Sonically, Into the Flow is MAE.SUN’s boldest
project yet, and fans of fusion’s ’60s and ’70s heyday will appreciate the
often-wild, evocative timbres she achieves through electronics. Overseeing
production, mixing and mastering, Drew Ofthe Drew has designed an ensemble
sound that is at once psychedelic and focused, expansive and crisp.
In
addition to her contributions as a player, composer and leader, Niswanger
further explores her passion and skill as a vocalist, singing background and,
on the track “Cycle,” lead. “Singing for people has been exhilarating—and
scary,” she says. “But I’ve wanted that, because music started getting really
comfortable for me. I’m used to getting up on a stage with a saxophone; using
your vocal cords brings in a new challenge.”
Into
the Flow also features two special guest vocalists whom Niswanger considers
heroes and friends. Amber Navran, of the Los Angeles-based soul trio Moonchild,
appears on “Bond,” an affirmative blend of sultry modern R&B and dynamic
jazz interplay. Australian-born, Brooklyn-based Kate K-S brings her sweet,
sandy voice to the grooves of “Ascension.” Elsewhere, she and the band elevate
her writing, which is fascinating yet accessible and another invaluable part of
her mission to unify. “What can the majority of humanity connect to?” she asked
herself during the composition process.
“You go
back and listen to sounds that have been around for centuries, like African
music,” she answers. “It’s a groove, a feeling that everyone around, whether
they’re musically inclined or not, can connect with.” MAE.SUN’s sound, from the
cosmic opener, “Awaken,” to the fierce drum-and-bass of the closer, “Free,”
melds blazing improvisation with an all-embracing stylistic palette.
About
Hailey Niswanger
Still
just 29, Hailey Niswanger has nonetheless already experienced a rich and full
life in music, making her arrival at Into the Flow all the more profound. She
was born in Houston, raised in Portland, Oregon, and later moved east to study
at the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. In 2010, she
was chosen for the inaugural class of Berklee’s Global Jazz Institute under the
artistic direction of pianist Danilo Pérez. She’s collaborated onstage with
Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Michael Wolff and Mike Clark, Ralph
Peterson Jr., the Soul Rebels Brass Band, the Either/Orchestra and other
luminaries, and performed at some of the jazz world’s most esteemed venues and
events, including the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, the Blue Note Jazz Club
in New York, Smalls Jazz Club, the Portland Jazz Festival and the Pittsburgh
International Jazz Festival. In the pop realm, she performed with Demi Lovato
on Saturday Night Live and Sleigh Bells on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the
Late Show with David Letterman. Currently she tours with electronic musician
Louis Futon, and recently performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Her
debut as a bandleader, 2009’s Confeddie, experienced phenomenal success for a
jazz album—especially a self-produced and self-released project. In the Wall
Street Journal, legendary jazz critic Nat Hentoff called it “a work with the
joyous feeling of the first day of spring”; it went on to become the No. 2
most-downloaded jazz album at Amazon.com, and debuted the following week at No.
13 on the Billboard Jazz Albums Chart. Prior to forming MAE.SUN, Niswanger
released two other buzzed-about discs, 2012’s The Keeper and 2015’s PDX Soul,
which earned her an interview on NPR.
A
handful of years later, and following those deep personal and spiritual
breakthroughs, Niswanger’s outlook brims with gratitude. “I’m just really
honored to play music,” she says. “Hopefully I can reach people in a way that
will connect us more and bring relief to those who need it.”
No comments:
Post a Comment