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.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25243144.john-crawford-quintet-rod-youngs-quartet-play-st-albans/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.thecoronettheatre.com/whats-on/the-coronet-theatre-jazz-festival-2024-max-roach-centenary-with-rod-youngs/ – In December 2024, Rod Youngs led a tribute to jazz legend Max Roach at The Coronet Theatre’s Jazz Festival. The performance also honoured pianist Bud Powell and drummer Roy Haynes. Youngs, a versatile drummer, was joined by Byron Wallen on trumpet, Renato Paris on piano, Tony Kofi on alto saxophone, and Larry Bartley on bass. The event included a screening of ‘The Drum Also Waltzes’, a documentary about Max Roach’s life and music. ([thecoronettheatre.com](https://www.thecoronettheatre.com/whats-on/the-coronet-theatre-jazz-festival-2024-max-roach-centenary-with-rod-youngs/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.hertsbigband.co.uk/event-details/herts-big-band-kings-langley-jazz-4 – On 3 June 2025, the Herts Big Band performed at Kings Langley Services Club, offering a night of big band jazz. The event was free to attend, providing an opportunity for jazz enthusiasts to enjoy live music in a local setting. ([hertsbigband.co.uk](https://www.hertsbigband.co.uk/event-details/herts-big-band-kings-langley-jazz-4?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.joelbarford.com/dates – Joel Barford’s website lists various jazz events and performances scheduled for 2024, including concerts by artists like Dennis Rollins, Ian Shaw, and Nigel Price Organ Trio. The site provides dates, venues, and ticket information for these events, catering to jazz fans seeking live performances across the UK. ([joelbarford.com](https://www.joelbarford.com/dates?utm_source=openai))
- https://bjazz.org/concerts/dave-ohiggins-rob-luft-band-jazz-live-jazz-jazz-guitar-sax/ – On 29 June 2024, the Dave O’Higgins / Rob Luft Band performed ‘Monk & Trane’ at Berkhamsted Jazz Club. The concert featured original compositions by O’Higgins and Luft, alongside works by Monk and Coltrane. The band included Ross Stanley on piano, Misha Mullov-Abbado on bass, and Rod Youngs on drums. ([bjazz.org](https://bjazz.org/concerts/dave-ohiggins-rob-luft-band-jazz-live-jazz-jazz-guitar-sax/?utm_source=openai))
- https://londonjazznews.com/2024/07/22/24-july-2024/ – London Jazz News provides a comprehensive list of jazz events happening on 24 July 2024, including performances by artists like Greg Abate, John Pearce, Simon Thorpe, Alfonso Vitale, and others at venues such as Spike’s Place Jazz Club and the 606 Club. The listings offer details on artists, venues, and event times, serving as a valuable resource for jazz enthusiasts seeking live performances in London. ([londonjazznews.com](https://londonjazznews.com/2024/07/22/24-july-2024/?utm_source=openai))
- https://londonjazznews.com/2024/06/10/12-june-2024/ – London Jazz News features a selection of jazz events scheduled for 12 June 2024, including performances by The Matt Wates Quartet at Spike’s Place Jazz Club, Scandi Jazz with The Martin Sjöstedt Trio featuring Ian Shaw at Iford Manor Jazz Festival, and others. The listings provide event details, artist line-ups, and venue information, assisting jazz fans in planning their attendance at live performances. ([londonjazznews.com](https://londonjazznews.com/2024/06/10/12-june-2024/?utm_source=openai))
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.
