Tenderlonious, the founder of 22a Records, brings his band to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club on 10th October.

A regular on the London jazz scene, Edward Cawthorne, aka Tenderlonious, is formidable and one of the most interesting voices currently circulating London venues. Whether he’s bigging up and supporting legends such as Mulatu Astatke or telling an enthused audience that he ‘hates jazz’, Cawthorne always has something to say.

His voice is valuable but more valuable than that is his music. Playing with Ruby Rushton, he has three albums, all of an extremely high quality. Through their music, they provide an insight into their influences, from inspiring jazz artists to the Latin district in Elephant and Castle. The sound crosses genres but maintains its roots in modern and spiritual jazz.

Ruby Rushton are not all supporting parts for Tenderlonious. The band is a mix of high-quality artists, including Eddie Hicks on drums and the brilliant Nick Walters on trumpet. Walters is one of the best and most engaging trumpeters working in London’s jazz scene, his tall stature is imposing and the sound when he blows his trumpet brings a clinical edge to the more spiritual work of Cawthorne.

As well as Ruby Rushton, Tenderlonious will be presenting the music he has made with 22archestra, who are a group of musicians who have worked with Cawthorne on several solo records. Again, these are a selection of high calibre artists. The recordings with 22archestra include Yussef Dayes and Reginald Omas Mamode IV, who have both gone on to have successful solo records.

22a, in this case, will be covered by Ruby Ruston, meaning the show is likely to take the form of Ruby Ruston playing some of their normal set, with a few of Tenderlonious’ solo songs mixed in. You are likely to get a chance to see this show again, possibly even again at Ronnie’s, but that certainly does not mean it is worth avoiding. The connection between the members of the band and the music they produce, coupled with the likelihood that you will hear something that you wouldn’t normally hear at a gig, means this show will be a great experience. But, if you can’t make it, don’t worry too much, as you will probably get another chance.

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