Bassist OLIE BRICE previews the launch of his new Quintet album, Immune to Clockwork. He writes:

On the 3rd of February I’ll be celebrating the release of my début album as a band-leader with a launch gig at the Vortex. My Quintet album Immune to Clockwork features Mark Hanslip on tenor, Alex Bonney on trumpets, Waclaw Zimpel on clarinet & alto clarinet and Jeff Williams on drums.

We were nominated by the El Intruso international jazz critics poll as one of the ‘New Bands of 2014’, and have received some very flattering reviews for the album – HERE, for example.

I’m really excited about launching the album at one of my favourite venues, with a slightly varied line-up featuring some of the most creative improvisers I know. Alex, Jeff and I will be joined by George Crowley on tenor and Mike Fletcher on C-melody sax (and probably some clarinet). We’ll be playing the tunes I wrote for the album – my attempt to find a way of writing that allows for real freedom for improvising while still being largely about melody and song.

Vortex, 3rd February. Two sets, starting around half 8. BOOKINGS

LINK: Sound clip, one of the tracks from the album