Thomas Johansson (trp), Kristoffer Berre Alberts (sax), Ola Høyer (bs), Dag Erik Knedal Andersen (dr)

Cortex is a spirited combo that plays energetic jazz of the finest brand. With over three hundred live-performances and six albums, the quartet positions itself as one of the strongest additions to the Norwegian jazz scene. The members are amongst the most sought after young jazz performers in Norway today. They all have marked their position in several other constellations such as: Paal Nilssen-Love Large Unit, SAKA, Moon Relay, Friends & Neighbors, All Included, Honest John, and The Heat Death.
From 2007 to 2020 the band consisted of Thomas Johansson, Kristoffer Berre Alberts, Ola Høyer and Gard Nilssen, and from 2020 Dag Erik Knedal Andersen replaced Gard behind the drums.

Cortex has done extensive touring in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia, Portugal USA and Japan, and their records has been bestowed with praise from international critics:

“….Gard Nilssen and bassist Ola Høyer provide sleek, muscular propulsion for Johansson, one of the most agile and robust trumpeters i´ve heard in years, and saxophonist Kristoffer Alberts; the horn men blow tart unison melodies, then break apart to deliver high-velocity improvisations that fall somewhere between the tempo-shifting alacrity of John Zorn´s Masada and the harnessed chaos of Hal Russell´s NRG Ensemble.»
– Peter Margasak, The Chicago Reader

“ ´Göteborg´ establishes Cortex as one of the greatest bands currently working in Norway.”
-Eyal Hareuveni, All About Jazz

“You want genre labels, call it avant garde party music.”
-Daniel Spicer, Jazzwise

Cortex is supported by the Norwegian Arts Council.