A fabulous up-and-coming alto saxophonist, Hailey Niswanger (pronounced “NICE–wonger”) has caught my ear’s attention and has impressed the likes of many well-known jazz musicians across the country. This week, KSPC is proud to highlight her debut album, Confeddie as the latest in a series of “jazz picks”. Ms. Niswanger is a skilled musician who has some real jazz chops. It is a true treat listening to all eight of the songs featured on Confeddie. She has a long list of accomplishments that reach far beyond the borders of her home in Oregon and well beyond her 19 years. She has shared the stage with jazz legends such as DeeDee Bridgewater, George Duke, Phil Woods, James Moody, Christian McBride, McCoy Tyner, Maceo Parker, and Wynton Marsalis (to name a few!) and leads her own Boston-based trio on this album: Michael Palma/Piano, Greg Chaplin/Bass, Mark Whitfield Jr./Drums. This fall she is also attending Berklee College of Music in Boston where she is studying jazz performance on a full scholarship. Niswanger has also managed to find time between her studies to attend some pretty prominent jazz festivals, like Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival (where she was the featured artist), the North Sea Jazz festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Confeddieis certainly worth a listen and would satisfy practically any straight-ahead jazz enthusiast.