JAZZ WEEKEND
BREAKS 2012
PROGRAMME
DELICIOUS FOOD
AND WINE...
UNIQUE AND
INDIVIDUAL
HOTELS...
RENOWNED
JAZZ ARTISTS...
...LIVE MUSIC
IN STUNNING
LOCATIONS
Mercure Hotels
Jazz Weekend Breaks 2012 programme
Our jumping jazz weekends return for another year of live music in stunning locations
Following their continued success, we’re pleased to announce the programme for our 2012
jazz weekend breaks. Hold on to your hats as this year’s programme is set to be swinging!
Your hosts
Denise and Tony Lawrence
This year’s programme will again be hosted by Denise and Tony
Lawrence. Having organised residential jazz weekends for over
20 years, the couple are renowned within the jazz circle. Denise’s
spontaneous humour and superb contralto voice combine
perfectly with her husband’s keyboard wizardry to form a truly
sparkling musical ensemble. They perform as part of a full
programme of jazz each evening, usually with their band
plus special star guests. In addition you will enjoy two nationally
famous traditional UK jazz bands at every weekend, each one
chosen both for their musical skills and their excellent
entertainment value.
Your hotels
Each Mercure hotel featured on the programme has its own individual
style and offers personal service to guarantee a truly unique stay
whichever you choose – you’ll also enjoy fine dining from dinner on
Friday through to breakfast on Monday morning. All six hotels offer
four-star quality and have been selected for their locations which offer
plenty to see and do within easy walking or driving distance.
However you spend your days, you’ll be returning each evening to
a warm welcome at your hotel and some of the best
jazz being played on the circuit today.
Your package
•
•
•
•
Three nights’ accommodation
Dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Breakfast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Three nights of jazz!
May jazz
programme
Friday 4th
Friday 4th to
Monday 7th May 2012
Mercure Shrewsbury
Albrighton Hall
Hotel & Spa
Ellesmere Road, Albrighton, Shrewsbury SY4 3AG
To book, please call the hotel on
01939 291000 Monday to Friday between
9am and 5pm, quoting ‘Jazz Weekend’,
or go to mercure.com
A 300-year-old country house, this traditional
hotel overlooks an ornamental lake in 15 acres of
gardens in the heart of Shropshire, just two miles
from the medieval town of Shrewsbury. Its
location makes it ideal for visiting Chester,
Shrewsbury Abbey and the Severn Valley steam
railway. Enjoy the Terrace Lounge and Bar, or
relax in the indoor pool, sauna and steam room.
£215
FROM
PER PERSON*
er
Half board – Friday dinn
to Monday breakfast
We welcome The Wabash Jazzman: led by
the flowing banjo of Mark Challinor, this band
has created a real breath of fresh air in the
British traditional jazz field.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
The Wabash Jazzman
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
The Wabash Jazzman
Saturday 5th
With a variety of music from classic jazz to
New Orleans rags and stomps, Matt Palmer’s
Millennium Eagle Jazz Band are one of the
UK’s greatest traditional jazz bands.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Millennium Eagle Jazz Band
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Millennium Eagle Jazz Band
Sunday 6th
We welcome The Martinique Jazz Band, the
highly professional band with a big sound and
a repertoire spanning the entire Jazz Age –
a great finale to our weekend.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
The Martinique Jazz Band
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
The Martinique Jazz Band
Monday 7th
Guests depart after a leisurely breakfast
Ample free hotel parking. *£20 single supplement
per night for double/twin room occupancy
The Martinique
Jazz Band
Millennium Eagle Jazz
Band
The Wabash
Jazzman
June jazz
programme
Friday 8th
Using a wide range of instrumentation, Terry
Williams’ Ambassadors of Jazz provide their
own unique style of jazz entertainment – great
for listeners and dancers alike.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Terry Williams’ Ambassadors of Jazz
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Terry Williams’ Ambassadors of Jazz
Saturday 9th
In the space of a just a few years The Dart
Valley Stompers have become one of the
UK’s most popular jazz bands with their wellcrafted arrangements and first rate musicians.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
The Dart Valley Stompers
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
The Dart Valley Stompers
Sunday 10th
Your host is joined by clarinet star Ron Drake,
drummer Terry Lidiard, Colin Fulcher on string
bass and Tony Lawrence on piano to perform
together as Denise Lawrence’s West Country
Jazz.
8.30pm-9.30pm and 10pm-11pm:
Denise Lawrence’s West Country Jazz
Friday 8th to
Monday 11th June 2012
Mercure Exeter
Southgate Hotel
Southernhay East, Exeter EX1 1QF
To book, please call the hotel on
01392 412812 Monday to Friday between
9am and 5pm, quoting ‘Jazz Weekend’,
or go to mercure.com
Quietly situated close to the old city walls and
historic Quayside, this elegant Georgian-style
hotel has been recently refurbished to bring
together beautiful bedrooms, an excellent
restaurant and a pool and gym. Mercure Exeter
Southgate Hotel is a great base for exploring the
Devon coastline or Dartmoor National Park and is
also a short stroll from riverside walks, the famous
12th century cathedral and the Princesshay
shopping centre.
£215
FROM
Monday 11th
Guests depart after a leisurely breakfast
PER PERSON*
er
Half board – Friday dinn
to Monday breakfast
Free hotel parking.*£20 single supplement per
night for double/twin room occupancy
The Dart Valley Stompers
Denise Lawrence
September jazz
programme
Friday 7th
Humour and musical virtuosity in abundance
with Slide by Slide, led by the amazing talents
of trombonists Kevin Grenfell and Richard
Leach.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Slide by Slide
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
Friday 7th to Monday 10th
September 2012
Mercure
Cheltenham
Queen’s Hotel
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Slide by Slide
Saturday 8th
Robin’s masterly clarinet and sax playing leads
his band, The Robin Reece Jazzmen, who
have earned a reputation as one of our most
entertaining jazz ensembles.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
The Robin Reece Jazzmen
The Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 1NN
To book, please call the hotel on
01242 514754 Monday to Friday between
9am and 5pm, quoting ‘Jazz Weekend’,
or go to mercure.com
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
This 4-star architectural gem is on Cheltenham’s
famous Promenade, overlooking the Imperial
Gardens. Mercure Cheltenham Queen’s Hotel
offers outstanding comfort and style and its truly
spectacular location is the perfect base from
which to explore this enchanting regency town
and the surrounding Cotswold countryside
and villages.
Sunday 9th
£215
FROM
10.15pm-11.15pm:
The Robin Reece Jazzmen
A memorable evening to finish the weekend
with Denise’s lovely voice combining with the
awesome talent of soprano king George
Huxley.
8.30pm-9.30pm and 10pm-11pm:
The Denise Lawrence All Stars with
George Huxley
Monday 10th
Guests depart after a leisurely breakfast
PER PERSON*
er
Half board – Friday dinn
to Monday breakfast
Free hotel parking. *No single supplement
George Huxley
Slide by Slide
September jazz
programme
Friday 28th
Re-creating the infectious sound of music
from the Delta, the openers for our jazz
weekend are the acclaimed musicians of New
Orleans Wiggle.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
New Orleans Wiggle
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
New Orleans Wiggle
Saturday 29th
With a fine reputation for quality jazz, this
talented band have been delighting audiences
in the North for many years. We’re pleased to
welcome, on their debut at Mercure hotels,
Winston’s Pennine Jazz.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Winston’s Pennine Jazz
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Winston’s Pennine Jazz
Sunday 30th
A grand finale for our weekend from one of
Britain’s most popular traditional jazz bands,
The Old Fashioned Love Band.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
The Old Fashioned Love Band
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
The Old Fashioned Love Band
Monday 1st
Friday 28th September to
Monday 1st October 2012
Mercure Blackburn
Dunkenhalgh Hotel
& Spa
Blackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors BB5 5JP
To book, please call the hotel on
01254 303400 Monday to Friday between
9am and 5pm, quoting ‘Jazz Weekend’,
or go to mercure.com
A 700-year-old building with original turrets,
porticos and many restored original features.
Just a few minutes from junction 7 on the M65,
the hotel is perfectly located for the Lancashire
Moors, the Forest of Bowland, Boundary Mill and
the Ribble Valley. Take full advantage of the Spa
Naturel health and leisure club during your stay
before enjoying an evening of jazz and dancing.
£215
FROM
Guests depart after a leisurely breakfast
PER PERSON*
er
Half board – Friday dinn
to Monday breakfast
Ample free hotel parking. *No single supplement
The Old Fashioned Love Band
Denise & Tony Lawrence
October jazz
programme
Friday 5th
Thrilling audiences everywhere they play and
led by the talented clarinet and sax playing of
their leader, Matt Palmer, The Millennium Eagle
Jazz Band kick off our weekend.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
Friday 5th to Monday 8th
October 2012
10.15pm-11.15pm:
The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band
Saturday 6th
Mercure
Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare Hotel
Saturday night features a great deal of humour
as well as a wealth of jazz talent – sit back and
enjoy an evening with a difference in the
company of Bev Pegg’s Goodtime Hot Five.
Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6ER
To book, please call the hotel on
01789 294997 Monday to Friday between
9am and 5pm, quoting ‘Jazz Weekend’,
or go to mercure.com
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
With its beautiful black and white gabled façade,
Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel
is one of Stratford’s most famous buildings. Enjoy
fine cuisine and stay in individually named rooms.
Stratford has so many places of interest, and
nearby are Warwick Castle, Anne Hathaway’s
cottage, Mary Arden’s house and the Heritage
Motor Museum.
£215
FROM
PER PERSON*
er
Half board – Friday dinn
to Monday breakfast
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Bev Pegg’s Goodtime Hot Five
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Bev Pegg’s Goodtime Hot Five
Sunday 7th
Denise joins Roy Dutton (drums), Dennis
Mowatt (bass), Tony Lawrence (piano) and
soprano sax virtuoso George Huxley to round
off the weekend.
8.30pm-9.30pm and 10pm-11pm:
The Denise Lawrence All-Stars with
George Huxley
Monday 8th
Guests depart after a leisurely breakfast
Some free hotel parking, otherwise hotel guests
park for free in the nearby NCP car park. *£20
single supplement per night for double/twin room
occupancy
George Huxley
Bev Pegg
November jazz
programme
Friday 9th
An exciting start to the weekend with an
evening in the company of the hugely
entertaining Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band
Saturday 10th
Guaranteed to fill the superb dance floor,
enjoy New Orleans jazz of the highest quality
from Dave Stradwick’s Sussex Jazz Kings.
8.30pm-9.30pm:
Dave Stradwick’s Sussex Jazz Kings
9.40pm-10.10pm:
Denise & Tony Lawrence
10.15pm-11.15pm:
Dave Stradwick’s Sussex Jazz Kings
Sunday 11th
The magic combination of Denise’s beautiful
voice and Ron’s sensational clarinet and sax
provides a great finale to our weekend.
8.30pm-9.30pm and 10pm-11pm:
The Denise Lawrence Band featuring
Ron Drake
Monday 12th
Guests depart after a leisurely breakfast
Friday 9th to Monday 12th
November 2012
Mercure
Windsor
Castle Hotel
18 High Street, Windsor SL4 1LJ
To book, please call the hotel on
01753 851577 Monday to Friday between
9am and 5pm, quoting ‘Jazz Weekend’,
or go to mercure.com
Located just two minutes’ walk from the main
gates of Windsor Castle, with easy access from
London Paddington or Waterloo, the hotel offers
unrivalled views of the Changing of the Guard
procession. Take afternoon tea in the Pennington
Lounge or relax with a cocktail in Bar@18 before
enjoying jazz and dancing in the Windsor Suite
Ballroom.
£215
FROM
PER PERSON*
er
Half board – Friday dinn
to Monday breakfast
Car park adjoining hotel.*£20 single supplement
per night for double/twin room occupancy
Ron Drake
Dave Stradwick’s Sussex Jazz Kings
We look forward
to seeing you
Wherever your destination, trust Mercure
to offer you an authentic experience of
hotels rooted in their local community,
and staff who are passionate about
service. Find out more about our large
and growing international network of
hotels at mercure.com
INVERNESS
ABERDEEN
PERTH
GLASGOW
LIVINGSTON
EDINBURGH
AYR
BLOOMSBURY
PADDINGTON
KENSINGTON
NEWCASTLE
BANKSIDE
WETHERBY
YORK
BLACKBURN
BRADFORD
HULL
LEEDS
BOLTON
WIGAN
MANCHESTER
SHEFFIELD
ALTRINCHAM
CHESTER
STAFFORD
NOTTINGHAM
SHREWSBURY
TELFORD
BURTON UPON TRENT
LEICESTER
WOLVERHAMPTON
NORWICH
COVENTRY
KIDDERMINSTER
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
CHELTENHAM
SWANSEA
CARDIFF
GLOUCESTER
SWINDON
BRISTOL
BANBURY
MILTON KEYNES
OXFORD
LETCHWORTH
HATFIELD
WATFORD
WINDSOR
READING
NEWBURY
STAINES
FARNHAM
SALISBURY
EXETER
BOX HILL
DORKING
GATWICK
MAIDSTONE
WINCHESTER
SOUTHAMPTON
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
BRIGHTON
Terms and conditions Subject to availability. Price includes three nights’
accommodation, with three-course dinner and breakfast, based on two
people sharing. £50 deposit per person is required to confirm the booking,
with the balance to be received by the hotel one month prior to stay dates.
HYTHE