Cortex

Cortex is a French jazz-funk band founded in 1974 by pianist and composer Alain Mion. Inspired by 1970s American jazz, funk, and psychedelia, their music blends polyrhythmic grooves with bossa nova, samba-jazz, and atmospheric vocals. The original lineup included Mion, drummer Alain Gandolfi, vocalist Mireille Dalbray, saxophonist Alain Labib, and bassist Jean Grevet. Their cult classic album Troupeau Bleu was recorded in just two days in July 1975. Cortex disbanded in 1981 but reformed in 2009 as Alain Mion & The New Cortex, performing across Europe with new members. Renewed interest in the band grew through hip-hop sampling by artists like MF DOOM, Madlib, and Tyler, the Creator. In 2022, Cortex toured the U.S., and in 2024 they launched a North American tour under the "Jazz is Dead" banner, with performances in major cities and festivals.