Saxophonist | Composer | Educator

Alain Métrailler is a Swiss saxophonist and composer recognized for his expressive sound and a strong rhythmic element in his playing, which together define his distinctive voice in contemporary jazz. Originally from Valais, Switzerland, Métrailler moved to New York City at the top of 2019, immersing himself in the city’s dynamic jazz scene as both a bandleader and an in-demand sideman. Based in Brooklyn and trained at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, he spent six years refining his artistic vision and shaping his quartet before returning to Switzerland.

An early mentorship with renowned saxophonist and composer Ohad Talmor - himself a close collaborator of Lee Konitz - played a formative role in Métrailler’s musical development. In New York, he continued to deepen his craft under the guidance of jazz luminaries such as Reggie Workman, Dave Douglas, Chris Cheek, and Mark Turner.

In 2018, Métrailler received the Langnau Jazz Nights Award, selected by legendary drummer Adam Nussbaum. A pivotal moment came in 2021, when he was invited to perform alongside Dave Douglas and the iconic Joe Lovano at Front Yard Fest in upstate New York, an experience that deeply influenced the direction of his current quartet.

Métrailler recorded his debut album in 2024 in New York, featuring Elias Stemeseder, Eric McPherson, Chris Tordini, and Grégoire Maret. The album is set for release on Unit Records in spring 2026, accompanied by an international tour.

Now back in Switzerland, Métrailler remains a sought-after collaborator, performing regularly with Ohad Talmor and Eric McPherson while returning regularly to New York. He recently formed a new trio with two of Switzerland’s finest rhythm section players: contrabassist Fabien Iannone and drummer Noé Tavelli, both deeply influenced by their own time in New York.


Alain Métrailler obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Saxophone in 2015 and a Master of Fine Arts in Saxophone and Music Pedagogy in 2017 from the Music Conservatory of Lausanne, studying with Professor Pierre-Stéphane Meugé. In 2018, after receiving the Langnau Jazz Nights Award, he was awarded the opportunity to study with renowned saxophonist and composer Mark Turner at the Musik-Akademie Basel. That same year, he studied composition with Ohad Talmor at the Geneva Conservatory (AMR). In 2019, Métrailler earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Performance from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City.