Cortex
is a spirited combo that plays energetic jazz of the finest brand. With over three hundred live-performances and five 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: PNL Large Unit, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Friends & Neighbors, Honest John, Gard Nilssen Supersonic Orchestra and Moon Relay.

Cortex is a spirited combo that plays energetic jazz of the finest brand. They have been active since 2007, and have performed over two hundred live-performances and released five critically acclaimed albums. The quartet from 2007 to 2020 consisted of Thomas Johansson - trumpet, Kristoffer Alberts - saxophones, Ola Høyer - double bass, and Gard Nilssen - drums, with Dag Erik Knedal Andersen replacing Gard Nilssen from 2020. The band positions itself as one of the strongest additions to the Norwegian jazz scene, and the members are amongst the most sought after young jazz performers in Norway today.

They all have also marked their position in several other constellations such as: Bushman’s Revenge, Puma, PNL Large Unit, SAKA, All Included, Zanussi 5, Friends & Neighbors, Honest John, and The Heat Death.

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