Herts Jazz Club in South Road will host two high-profile jazz performances on June 20 and 21, featuring pianist John Crawford’s acclaimed quintet and drummer Rod Youngs’ dynamic quartet, spotlighting some of the UK’s leading jazz talents.
The Herts Jazz Club in South Road is set to host two notable jazz performances on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21. The John Crawford Quintet will take the stage on Friday, followed by the Rod Youngs Quartet on Saturday, with tickets priced at £25 and concessions available for £17.50.
The John Crawford Quintet, described by Paul Pace of Ronnie Scott's as a "cracking quintet," is led by pianist John Crawford, a musician with an impressive background including collaborations with Bjork and Tanita Tikarem. His debut album, Ulia River of Time, earned a nomination for Best Jazz Recording at the 2013 Independent Music Awards. The quintet features guitarist Guille Hill, percussionist Andres Ticino, bassist Alec Dankworth, and drummer Tristan Banks. Jazzwise Magazine’s John Childs praised Crawford for his skilful and imaginative playing, highlighting a particularly memorable piano solo that marked him as "a man to watch."
On Saturday, the Rod Youngs Quartet will perform, led by drummer Rod Youngs, who cultivated his musical talent from an early age and studied at Howard University and the Eastman School of Music. Youngs has an extensive performance history with artists ranging from Lee Konitz to Natalie Cole and Courtney Pine. His quartet includes UK jazz stalwart Denys Baptiste, described by Time Magazine as "the icon of British jazz," alongside guitarist Artie Zaitz and bassist Larry Bartley. Both Zaitz and Bartley are prominent figures on the London jazz scene, with Zaitz having over a decade of international recording and performing experience, and Bartley being highly sought after in the city’s jazz circles.
Rod Youngs is known for his dynamic contributions to the jazz community, not only as a performer but also as an educator. In December 2024, he led a tribute to the legendary drummer Max Roach at The Coronet Theatre’s Jazz Festival, an event that also honoured pianists Bud Powell and Roy Haynes. This tribute featured a gathering of esteemed musicians including Byron Wallen, Renato Paris, Tony Kofi, and bassist Larry Bartley, underscoring Youngs' position in the contemporary jazz landscape.
This double-header weekend at Herts Jazz Club reflects the vibrant jazz activity in the UK, where venues and festivals regularly showcase both established and emerging talents. Events like these offer jazz enthusiasts an immersive experience, celebrating the diverse and evolving sounds of the genre.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, detailing upcoming performances on June 20 and 21, 2025. The mention of Rod Youngs' tribute to Max Roach in December 2024 provides a recent reference point. No evidence of recycled content or significant discrepancies found. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Paul Pace of Ronnie Scott's and John Childs of Jazzwise Magazine are not found in the provided search results. This suggests they may be original or exclusive to the report. However, without external verification, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Argus, a local news outlet. While it provides specific details about the performances, the lack of broader coverage or corroboration from other reputable sources raises questions about its reliability. The absence of verifiable information about the Herts Jazz Club and the individuals mentioned further diminishes the source's credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
5
Notes:
The performances are scheduled for June 20 and 21, 2025, which is plausible. However, the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the absence of verifiable information about the Herts Jazz Club and the individuals mentioned raise concerns about the narrative's authenticity. The tone and structure of the report are consistent with promotional content, which may indicate a lack of objectivity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents upcoming performances at the Herts Jazz Club, but the lack of corroboration from other reputable sources, the absence of verifiable information about the venue and individuals mentioned, and the reliance on unverified quotes raise significant concerns about its authenticity and reliability. The source's credibility is questionable, and the plausibility of the events is uncertain without external verification.
