Cunard has announced that multiple Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Natalie Cole will headline its first-ever Blue Note jazz themed cruise, which will debut on Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 in October.
Ms Cole will join a roster of venerable jazz musicians on the special Transatlantic Crossing including Grammy® Award-winning jazz pianist and record producer Robert Glasper, acclaimed trumpet player Keyon Harrold, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Derrick Hodge and drummer Kendrick Scott.
Fares on the seven-night Transatlantic cruise, departing New York on October 29, 2015 are priced from $1019 per person twin share.
The daughter of famous vocal legend and trailblazer Nat King Cole, Ms Cole was introduced to the world of jazz as a child in the 1950s. Throughout her celebrated career, she has paid tribute to the Latin American, R&B and Jazz genres, as well as to her father through posthumous pairings and renditions of his most popular songs.
“Cunard is very much looking forward to welcoming Natalie Cole aboard Queen Mary 2. Her presence and talent, together with Blue Note Records’ highly acclaimed musicians, will make this transatlantic crossing really special for our guests,” Cunard Director Angus Struthers said. “We believe this collaboration with Blue Note will make for something truly unforgettable.”
In addition to Ms Cole, this special Transatlantic Crossing will feature a catalogue of several celebrated jazz musicians including:
- Much-admired musician Alan Hampton, who attended the Thelonious Monk Institute in LA, where he studied bass with jazz and performed with Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, and John Clayton and performed internationally with Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter.
- Piano prodigy and Grammy® Award-nominated Fredrico Peña, who was born in Montevideo (Uruguay) and raised in Buenos Aires (Argentina), where his piano training began under the tutelage of world renowned classical pianist Antonio de Raco.
In addition to these celebrated musicians and others, the Blue Note Jazz at Sea October 29 Transatlantic Crossing will also feature intimate jazz performances by Blue Note’s 75th anniversary supergroup, Our Point of View, as well as a Q&A with Grammy® Award-winning producer and President of Blue Note, Don Was.
Throughout its 175 years of history, Cunard has been known for offering guests unique access to some of the most beloved musicians and entertainers in the world, from Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, who sailed on the beloved Queen Mary, to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck.
For more details on Cunard visit www.cunard.com, phone 132 441 or see a licensed travel agent.
SOURCE Cunard