Cortex has gradually become something of an institution in Norwegian jazz, a little free department with a lot of impact. The title of the album that came out in 2016 stolen from one of the countless exuberant reviews the band has received, sums it up most: Avant-garde party music! For here we are talking about unmistakably tough sixties free luggage in the spirit and flesh of Ornette and Don Cherry – but still with a broad line of something Nordic and contemporary.
When the debut came in 2011, one could still refer to Cortex as a jazz line band. Today they are in front of the field. The members of Cortex are sought after with its musicians, among others, Acoustic Unity, Susanne Sundfør, Friends & Neighbors, Bushman’s to name a few. With such a CV, it has to be a good live band!
In 2021, Cortex will release a new album – Legal Tender – visit Spor:5 at Maijazz and you will hear new songs from Cortex.
Thomas Johansson – trumpet, Kristoffer Alberts – saxophone, Ola Høyer – bass, Dag Erik Knedal Andersen – drums
No Scandinavian group since Atomic has so powerfully addressed and remade the free jazz of the 60s like Cortex.
– Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader –