Cunard Line, operator of the most famous ocean liners in the world, is pleased to announce a partnership with The Juilliard School that will present stellar jazz performances on select 2010 eastbound Transatlantic Crossings aboard Queen Mary 2. Students and faculty from Juilliard, which has set America’s standard for education in the performing arts, will perform programmes in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre, treating guests to the best in classic and contemporary jazz. These presentations are part of Cunard’s entertainment and award-winning enrichment programme, which showcases a variety of compelling entertainers – from new and emerging world-class talent to today’s most enduring and iconic artists. Last August, Juilliard Jazz scholar Jumaane Smith became the first student from the school to take the stage onboard Queen Mary 2, presenting a trumpet recital that proved to be very popular with the voyage’s guests.

This year marks the introduction of extended Crossing options. Now, in addition to classic six-day Crossings between New York and Southampton (UK), a seven-day option also is available. Additionally, extended seven-, eight- and nine-day Crossings are offered to Cherbourg (France) and Hamburg (Germany).

Juilliard performers are scheduled for the following Transatlantic voyages (*denotes a Juilliard Jazz faculty member):

15 – 22 April

Brandon Lee* – Trumpet: One of 18 students admitted to the inaugural class of the Juilliard Institute of Jazz Studies, thus forming the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra. In the fall of 2008, Lee became the youngest member of the Juilliard Jazz faculty as an assistant to the Director of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra. After spending one year as the Assistant, he has been named the Director of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra for the fall of 2009.

Kris Bowers – Piano: Currently a bachelor of music student at The Juilliard School. Since his arrival in New York, Bowers has shared the stage and/or recorded with artists such as Terell Stafford, Mulgrew Miller, Terence Blanchard, Clarence Penn, Carl Allen, Ben Wolfe, Ron Blake, Rodney Jones, Benny Green, Bobby Watson, Kurt Elling, Duane Eubanks, EJ Strickland, Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith and Ingrid Jensen, to name a few.

Philip Kuehn – Bass: As a member of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, he will appear this year at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall. In September 2006, he performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for John Coltrane’s 80th birthday celebration. He also has performed with Dr. Billy Taylor’s Jazz and the New Generation II at the Kennedy Center and the White House.

Aaron Kimmel – Drums: Currently a bachelor of music student at The Juilliard School, where he studies with Billy Drummond, Kenny Washington and Carl Allen. While in junior high, Kimmel was selected for the Mellon Jazz Festival’s “Swing into Spring All-Star Student Big Band” for three consecutive years. In high school, he was selected for the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz Ensemble in 2005 and 2006.

21 – 28 May

James Burton – Trombone: A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Jackie McLean’s Institute for Jazz Studies and the Juilliard Jazz Studies Artist Diploma program. Burton recently completed a master of music degree in jazz studies from The Juilliard School, studying with trombone icon Steve Turre. He currently is the Director of Jazz Studies at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.

7 – 14 June

Rodney Jones* – Guitar: Hailed by guitar master George Benson as “a legend among musicians,” Jones continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz guitar playing, while at the same time, working with many notable artists, including Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Ruth Brown and Dizzy Gillespie. He currently is the professor of Jazz Guitar Studies at The Juilliard School.

6 – 13 July

Jeremy Viner – Tenor Saxophone: Recently completed his master of music degree at The Juilliard School. Since moving to New York in 2004, Viner has had the honour to work and perform with many popular musicians in the jazz and new classical music communities.

Chris Burbank – Trumpet: Since beginning his studies at The Juilliard School, he has been fortunate enough to study with the great Eddie Henderson. Burbank has been honored to share the stage with such jazz icons as Terence Blanchard, Maria Schneider, Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller and Benny Golson.

8 – 22 August

Michael Cottone – Trumpet: Recently completed his master of music degree at The Juilliard School in New York City. Cottone’s performance experiences include the Downbeat Award-winning Eastman Jazz Ensemble, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, The Grand Hotel Orchestra on Mackinac Island and the Broadway Production of Hair.

Andrew Gutauskas – Alto Saxophone: Attended the Artist Diploma program at The Juilliard School, where he studied with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra baritone saxophonist, Joe Temperley. During his short but impressive career, Gutauskas has shared the stage with such artists as Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Michael Buble, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Antonio Hart, Jon Gordon, Tom Harrell, Carl Allen and many others.

12 – 19 September Juilliard Jazz Faculty Ensemble

Eddie Henderson* – Trumpet: Has been on the faculty at The Juilliard School since 2007. Henderson received his first few trumpet lessons at the age of nine from Louis Armstrong and went on to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Eddie first got worldwide recognition for his jazz-trumpet playing from the popular recordings he made with Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi group during the early 1970s.

Frank Kimbrough* – Piano: Currently on the Jazz Studies faculty at The Juilliard School and previously taught at The New School University and New York University. Kimbrough has been active on New York’s jazz scene for more than 25 years. He currently is a Palmetto Records artist, with previous recordings as a leader for OmniTone, Soul Note and Mapleshade, and nearly 50 more as a sideman.

Ben Wolfe* – Bass: Currently on the teaching faculty at The Juilliard School: Jazz Division. Early on in his career, Wolfe performed with Harry Connick, Jr., the Wynton Marsalis Septet and Diana Krall’s touring band. He recently released his fifth album.

Carl Allen* – Drums: Currently Juilliard Jazz Artistic Director. With more than 200 recordings to his credit, Allen is a drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur and educator. He has toured and recorded with a number of notable artists, including Freddie Hubbard and The Brecker Brothers. His latest release on the Mack Avenue label is “Work to Do” with co-leader, bassist Rodney Whitaker.

12 – 19 October

Randall Haywood – Trumpet: Recently received his master of music degree in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School. At age 15, Haywood joined the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, becoming the youngest member in the prestigious organization. He also has shown his multi-talented skills by performing as a drummer with great artists such as jazz vocalist Nneena Freelon, saxophonist Bill Pierce and pianist/actor Johnnie Oneal.

Queen Mary 2 offers an array of accommodation combining classic Cunard touches with a stylish, refined elegance. The liner’s legendary Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites afford guests spacious five-star accommodation and dedicated single-seating dining in the famed Grills Restaurants, along with a private sun terrace and cocktail and concierge lounges. Guests sailing in Britannia category accommodation enjoy gourmet dining prepared by world-class chefs in the Britannia Restaurant, the liner’s grand three-tier dining venue. As an added bonus, guests can experience the culinary creativity of celebrity chef Todd English in the first restaurant at sea bearing his name.

Nights are filled with themed Royal Balls and Galas, where guests can dance the night away to a live orchestra in the Queens Room, the largest ballroom at sea. Days are filled with such activities as perusing a vast selection of 8,000 books in the largest library at sea, enjoying traditional afternoon English tea or exploring the cosmos in the only planetarium at sea.

Queen Mary 2’s Transatlantic Crossings reflect the pinnacle of civility in ocean travel and refinement. The only company offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service, Cunard is sailing 21 crossings in 2010, singularly offering the New Golden Age of Ocean Travel through such unique Cunard experiences as Cunard Insights, the line’s award-winning enrichment programme. The Crossings afford guests opportunities for leisurely pursuits, ranging from wellness in the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea to wine tastings with a world-class sommelier.