From left to right : bassist Chris Tordini, saxophonist Alain Metrailler, pianist Elias Stemeseder, harmonicist Gregoire Maret and drummer Eric McPherson in the Bunker recording studio in Brooklyn, NY.

ALAIN METRAILLER QUARTET + 1

Heights Prospection

Date March 27, 2024
Location Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Engineer Aaron Nevezie
Mix & Master Joe Branciforte, Greyfade Studio, Bronx, NY
Producer Ohad Talmor
Photos Marius Duboule
Formats Digital, CD [44k_16b], Vinyl
Duration 8 tracks / 52:27


“Heights Prospection” is the debut album of Brooklyn-adopted Swiss tenor saxophonist Alain Metrailler. This project features an impressive lineup, including Elias Stemeseder on piano, Chris Tordini on double bass, Eric McPherson on drums, and special guest Gregoire Maret on harmonica. The album solidifies Alain’s musical identity through a heartfelt tribute to his key influences, encompassing mentors and his father, Richard, percussionist, conductor and his first mentor, whose early departure left a profound impact. In honoring Prospect Heights, the Brooklyn neighborhood that has been central to his artistic development, the album's title reflects Alain's unwavering pursuit of deeper social, musical, and spiritual insights.

… about the musicians

Eric McPherson grew up in New York, surrounded by music thanks to his mother, a talented dancer and choreographer in the jazz scene. He met many famous drummers like Max Roach and Elvin Jones. At 12, he began seven years of drum lessons with master drummer Michael Carvin, who later recommended him to Jackie McLean. For 15 years, until Jackie passed away, Eric was his drummer, following in the footsteps of other greats like Billy Higgins and Tony Williams. Eric has played with many notable jazz artists, including Pharaoh Sanders, Andrew Hill, and currently performs with the David Virelles trio and Ben Street.

Christopher Tordini is a bassist on the New York music scene, where he performs with established jazz icons as well as a diverse range of emerging musicians. He has toured and recorded with Andy Milne’s Dapp Theory and has also played and recorded in bands led by artists such as Greg Osby, Jeremy Pelt, Ari Hoenig, Steve Lehman, Jim Black, Andrew D’Angelo, and Tyshawn Sorey. Tordini is also a collaborative member of clarinetist/saxophonist Chris Speed trio alongside drummer Dave King.

Elias Stemeseder is an Austrian pianist and electronic musician based in Brooklyn. He has collaborated with notable artists like Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, and Joe McPhee. From a young age, he played in Jim Black's trio, which features bassist Thomas Morgan and has released four well-received albums. Elias has contributed to over 30 recordings with labels like Intakt and Winter&Winter and has performed at venues such as the Village Vanguard and Jazzfest Berlin.

Grégoire Maret is a New York based, GRAMMY winner, Swiss harmonica player. He has emerged as a unique new voice and has done nothing less than redefine the role of the harmonica. The list of musical heavyweights with whom Maret regularly collaborates is impressive: Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell and Marcus Miller are just the most prominent of his artistic partners. And as a guest in the studio and on stage, Maret has enriched the music of other greats such as Prince, Dianne Reeves, Toots Thielemans, Tito Puente and George Benson with his uniquely colorful playing.

Live in Brooklyn

This live concert was recorded at Scholes Street Studio the night before the recording session on March 26th, 2024.

Bassist Chris Tordini, saxophonist Alain Metrailler, pianist Elias Stemeseder, harmonicist Gregoire Maret and drummer Eric McPherson standing together inside the Bunker, smiling and posing for a group photo, with overhead circular lights above them.
Person wearing headphones playing a piano in a studio setting.
Musician recording in studio with a harmonica
Black and white photo of a musician playing a double bass in a recording studio booth, wearing headphones.
Group of men in hallway, one crouching by wooden door, others standing, some stools, green and white walls.
Black and white photo of Alain Metrailler playing a saxophone in a recording studio, wearing headphones and surrounded by microphones.
Three people in a music recording studio working with audio equipment and a mixing console.
Black and white image of a drummer playing a drum kit in a recording studio with microphones set up around the kit.
Person wearing headphones in a recording studio, seen through a glass window.
Alain Metrailler playing saxophone in recording studio with headphones
Drummer wearing headphones in a recording studio with drum kit and microphones.
Musician in recording studio playing piano, wearing headphones, with sound equipment and saxophonist visible in background, wooden walls.
Alain Metrailler with saxophone in Bunker recording studio wearing headphones, clapping hands
Black and white portrait of a person reclining with arm over head, wooden wall background.
Man in recording studio playing harmonica with headphones
Alain Metrailler playing saxophone with microphone in recording studio, black and white photo.
Person adjusting mixing console in recording studio with speakers
Black and white photo of a man drinking from a mug indoors with wood panel background.
Recording studio interior with a person playing piano and another person in a soundproof room playing saxophone.
Black and white photo of Alain Metrailler in glasses and a textured jacket, seated on a couch, with slatted wooden wall in background.
Drummer playing in a recording studio with drum kit and microphones.
Musician playing saxophone in recording studio with headphones

…about the compositions

The album opens with Obvious Transmission (7:51), a 5/4 blues dedicated to Alain’s mentor, saxophonist and composer Ohad Talmor (Lee Konitz, Dewey Redman). Talmor began mentoring Alain shortly before the passing of his father in 2017 and played a pivotal role in guiding his artistic growth. It’s no coincidence that this tribute sets the tone for the album.

Crispy (6:16) is a nod to saxophonist and clarinetist Chris Speed, another key influence in Metrailler’s journey. The tune reflects the signature compositional style of Speed—short, singular, and irresistibly catchy—reminiscent of his trio albums with Dave King and Chris Tordini.

EWR HERO SAYNT (5:27), an anagram of the legendary Wayne Shorter, pays homage to one of the greatest saxophonists, composers, and human beings of all time. The piece draws inspiration from Shorter’s early recordings, such as Night Dreamer, JuJu, and Speak No Evil.

Jump Loud (6:46) is a tribute to one of Metrailler’s favorite tenor saxophonists, Joe Lovano. The composition captures the essence of Lovano’s intricate, powerful, and angular melodic lines.

Flight of the Humble Being (6:17) hearkens back to Alain’s early exposure to classical music, a legacy passed down by his father. This piece features a collaboration with fellow Swiss musician and harmonica virtuoso Gregoire Maret, based in New York.

Unstablemates (7:31) takes its cues from Benny Golson’s classic hit Stablemates, while also drawing significant inspiration from Chris Speed’s composition Really Okay.

Composed in a single, heartfelt gesture, I’m in Tears (6:29) is a deeply personal piece dedicated to Alain’s partner, Emilie. It captures the profound beauty and revelation that emerged from one of their most challenging moments together.

Crazy He Calls Me (5:47), composed by Carl Sigman, is one of Metrailler’s favorite ballads. Performed as a duo with pianist Stemeseder, it pays tribute to saxophonist Lee Konitz, Talmor’s mentor to whom Alain feels inevitably connected. Konitz’s unflinching muscial honesty and uncompromising approach to improvisation serves as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Metrailler’s musical journey.