Nicolas Masson

Originating from Geneva, Switzerland, Nicolas Masson channels a progressive approach to jazz through his focus on contemporary creative improvisation as a saxophonist. He completed his formal training at the Conservatoire Populaire de Musique de Genève, earning his diploma in 2000. Afterward he relocated briefly to New York City for a year of private lessons with Chris Potter and Rich Perry. His first album, Awake, appeared in 2002 on the Altrisuoni label. Once back in Europe, he issued his next solo recording, Yellow (A Little Orange), in 2006 through Fresh Sound/New Talent. That same year he formed the group Parallel, whose debut album Thirty Six Ghosts surfaced in 2009. Two years later he returned to Fresh Sound/New Talent with the solo project Departures. In 2013 Masson joined his trio Third Reel for its self-titled ECM debut. His first release as a leader on the label came in 2018 with Travelers, a set of nine originals performed by the long-running quartet Parallels—pianist Colin Vallon, double bassist Patrice Moret, and drummer Lionel Friedl—with whom he has toured and recorded for more than a decade.