CORTEX is the legendary psychedelic jazz funk group founded in 1974 by outstanding jazz pianist, composer, singer, bandleader, arranger Alain Mion
and drummer Alain Gandolfi.
Known for its innovative blend of jazz, psychedelic rock and various other genre-influences with a unique sound characterized by intricate instrumentation and vocal melodies, Cortex has inspired countless musicians and remains a cornerstone in the sampling world.
Their legendary album Troupeau Bleu (1975) has been famously sampled by a multitude of artists, including Madlib, MF Doom, Tyler the Creator, Wiz Khalifa, Logic, Tyga, Lupe Fiasco, Wu Tang, Rick Ross (golden record), Baby Keem… and hundreds of others, showcasing their influence and appeal across the vast hip-hop landscape.
Since its regular return to the U.S. stage in 2022, Cortex has played to sold-out crowds and acclaim in major U.S. cities as well as in Canada, Europe and South America. Their popularity and legacy grow, cementing their status as influential artists across the jazz music scene.
Cortex Leader: Alain Mion
Mion was born in Casablanca in 1947. His father was a soldier in the French army and was raised in Paris. The family was very musical. In Morocco, his grandmother found success as a pianist who accompanied silent films in cinemas and toured with French artists in North Africa.
At a very young age, Alain discovered jazz music through albums like Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Bobby Timmons, Oscar Peterson, and Miles Davis. Mion’s ultimate inspiration was Ray Charles.
At 14 years old, his grandmother gave him his first piano, a Klein brand, and at 16 Alain discovered John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Les McCann and Wynton Kelly.
At 19, he performed with his own trio at the famous Paris Blue Note, and then at various festivals with musicians like Hank Mobley, Philly Joe Jones and Hal Singer. After a single lesson with the great French pianist Georges Arvanitas, Alain felt like he was opened up to new harmonic perspectives.
During his time in the French military, he discovered Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66, which led to his passion for composition upon his return from service. The tracks he composed during that time would become the repertoire of Troupeau Bleu.
From 1974 through 1981, the Cortex adventure began with members Alain Mion, Alain Gandolfi, Jeff Huttner, Jean Grevet, and Mireille Dalbray. They recorded what would be the legendary album Troupeau Bleu. This was followed by several EPs and albums until the group split in 1981.
After the split, Mion performed and recorded under his own name and with The Alain Mion Trio worldwide. Mion traveled to Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, the UK, Morocco, Sweden the US, China, Italy, and France. Alain was often accompanied by renowned international jazz musicians such as marc Johnson, Dave Binney, Ronnie Garciner, Michael Kersting, Patrik Boman, Luigi Trussardi, Charles Bellonzi,, Pietro Tonolo, Loïc Soulat, Gérard Prévost, and others.
His work was featured in several French and US film soundtrack, and his music was sampled hundreds of times.
Alain decided to reform Cortex. Cortex’s and his own discography includes more than 60 records reissues and compilations which have been distributed internationally