Cortex – First Avenue – Minneapolis MN – September 24th 2026

ARTDONTSLEEP and First AVENUE PRESENTS CORTEX

Review and photos by Aiden Cooper

Cortex at First Avenue on September 24th was the perfect show for a rainy Thursday night. Jazz, hip-hop, and music fans alike gathered to catch one of the best jazz shows of the year. Fans rushed to the merch table where Jazz is Dead branded t-shirts, lighters, and rolling papers lie waiting to be bought. Alongside Cortex branded shirts there were shirts referencing the popular MF DOOM song One Beer that samples the song Huit Octobre 1971 which promptly sold out halfway through the night.

Right at the doors open dj J. Rocc played a curated dj set full of jazz, funk, and hip-hop deep cuts. Setting the perfect tone for the show as the audience funneled in. Adrian Younge took the stage with his 5 piece band with singer Loren Orden. Adrian sporting a futuristic silver shirt and a bass to match made sure the crowd was ready for the night. The best word to describe his set was perfection. Some of the tightest jazz funk fusion imaginable. Nonstop jazz jams and solos left the crowd with nothing but excitement for what was going to come. After the set Adrian Younge walked around the whole venue chatting and taking photos with fans some of which were totally starstruck due to Adrian Younge’s highly regarded musical status.

When Cortex took the stage, the anticipation in the room was well deserved. Led by pianist Alain Mion, the legendary French jazz group proved why their sound continues to resonate with listeners across generations. A moment most fans were waiting for was for them to play their track Huit Octobre 1971. Hearing the song performed live gave the crowd a chance to appreciate the original composition beyond the samples that introduced it to a new generation of listeners. The band continued with classics that showcased the intricate melodies, smooth grooves, and psychedelic elements that define their sound. Each song highlighted the musicianship that made Cortex so influential, with arrangements that felt both relaxed and remarkably tight. A special moment included a short speech from Alain Mion explaining how what ICE did in Minneapolis was wrong and unjust. He told the audience that he and all of his peers in France were very impressed with how the city handled itself after the events and dedicated an original composition to Renee Good. Cortex had brought a piece of jazz history to Minneapolis, and the crowd was there to celebrate every note. Leaving the venue into the rainy streets of Minneapolis created a peaceful feeling to end the night.