22a label boss, flautist, saxophonist, producer and DJ, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne is regarded as one of the leading figures in the London jazz and underground music scene. His South London based record label, 22a, is one of the most respected independent labels in the U.K. following a succession of sought after releases spanning jazz, house, hip hop, soul, garage, Indian classical and jungle. Running a record label is enough work alone, so anyone who digs a little deeper will know that Tenderlonious has amassed an armoury of releases that transcend your average U.K. artist.

He is the founder and leader of jazz-funk-fusion quartet Ruby Rushton, who’s first album ‘Two For Joy”, from 2015, is often credited for inspiring the U.K. jazz resurgence. His debut ‘Tenderlonious’ live album ‘The Shakedown” is considered to be one of the classic albums of the modern jazz era, gaining rave reviews and receiving over 5 million streams worldwide. He has also proven himself to be one of the most versatile and forward thinking musicians in the world, collaborating with Polish jazz band EABS, Italian musician and producer Lorenzo Morresi on their 2022 album “Cosmica Italiana” and for his famous collaboration with the Pakistani band Jaubi that has generated 2 albums and lead to rave reviews from the likes of The Guardian, Pitchfork, Dowbeat to name a few, which further lead to headline shows at London’s Union Chapel and festivals all over the world.