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MAE.SUN, alternately known as Hailey Niswanger, is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer. In 2016, Niswanger started branching out from her jazz roots, and through meditation, began to channel music that was inspired by a multitude of influences and sounds. “My music started to come from a place that felt so much more than just ‘me’. I wanted to depart from my birth given name, and put music out under a new moniker. MAE is my middle name, and SUN, was chosen from inspiring words by Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who said, “The sun is our second heart…[the] great heart outside of our body.” Essentially, our universal, collective heart.” MAE.SUN’s music is mindful and eclectic, pushing boundaries and defying genres. Her music taps into the collective consciousness, serving as an engaging mediation for all. Though she can be primarily heard playing her saxophones and flute, MAE.SUN also plays clarinet, piano, and guitar. MAE.SUN’s cosmic debut album ‘Vol. 1: Inter-be’ was released in 2017, followed by ‘Vol. 2: Into The Flow’ in 2019.
Before 2016, MAE.SUN recorded 3 albums under ‘Hailey Niswanger’, and received many accolades in the jazz community; including winning first place at the Mary Lou Williams saxophone competition at age 19, charting on Billboard, plaudits from esteemed writer Nat Hentoff in the Wall Street Journal, rave reviews in JazzTimes, Jazziz, NPR, and DownBeat, as well as being listed on their critics poll for rising star on alto and soprano saxophone for the past 8 consecutive years. She has toured and performed with a number of notable artists including, Esperanza Spalding, Kenny Barron, Harvey Mason, Wolff & Clark Expedition, Mulatu Astatke, Ralph Peterson, and Terri Lyne Carrington. She also recorded flute on Carrington’s GRAMMY award winning album, The Mosaic Project. In the pop realm, she has performed with Demi Lovato, Sleigh Bells, and most recently her flute playing can be heard on Beyoncé’s ‘Black Parade’. MAE.SUN has performed at notable venues in NYC, including Music Hall of Williamsburg, National Sawdust, and Bowery Electric. MAE.SUN has also performed at the BRIC Jazz Fest, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, and New York’s Winter Jazz Fest. She performed a live set on WBGO’s The Checkout, and most recently was the featured demo performer for Roland’s new Aerophone Pro.