The gem of jazz has many sparkling facets, all of them bright. But as the genre continues to woo would-be suitors, it's the classic crooners and sultry singers that first draw them in -- and enliven their soul.

Pinehurst Resort and the Arts Council of Moore County plan to romance the crowd in similar fashion at its annual Heart'n Soul of Jazz event, Feb. 9-10. The pre-Valentine's weekend will feature two Grammy-nominated performers with a penchant toward the soft and smooth.

Freddy Cole isn't afraid to be compared to his brother, Nat King Cole. Perhaps a little smokier and deeper, Freddy's voice still bears a strong resemblance to the pure and graceful one of his kin. He'll open the weekend with a Friday night performance on Pinehurst's Cardinal Ballroom stage.

Joining him is a strong trio of musicians on bass, guitar and percussion to match Freddy's piano and vocal talent. Together, they produce a sound uniquely their own, combining jazz favorites with Freddy's own "raw silk" style. It's the same that went gold in Brazil and earned him a Grammy nomination in his own right.

"Freddy Cole is, overall, the most maturely expressive male jazz singer of his generation, if not the best alive," reported The New York Times during Cole's rise to fame in the 1990s. The differences in his own style lean more toward Billie Holiday in phrasing -- with a touch of swing.

Saturday evening's performance features the extraordinary fresh talent of Tierney Sutton, with the same band she's worked with for more than 10 years. The ensemble, cultivating a magic of their own, includes bassists Kevin Ax and Trey Henry, drummer Ray Brinker and pianist Christian Jacob.

Tierney, with looks that recall ballrooms and big bands, hit No. 1 on the jazz charts in 2002 with her third CD, "Something Cool." She continues to speak with her audience with soulful renditions of "Route 66" and "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face," as well as one of her favorite fun showstoppers: an arrangement of "Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead."

In June of 2005, she won JazzWeek's Vocalist of the Year. Leading up to the recognition were performances at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, an extremely successful run in New York's Oak Room, and an acclaimed concert at NYC's Birdland.

Stephen Holden of The New York Times proclaimed Sutton as "the real thing: a hard-swinging, soft-hearted devotee of a great tradition, a pure jazz spirit."

Both concerts will be held at Pinehurst Resort, which has co-sponsored the benefit weekend with the Arts Council of Moore County for more than 20 years.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performances.

Semiformal to black tie is the norm at this sellout event.

Tickets are $65 per person or $110 for both nights, and include entrance to the "Meet the Artists" dessert reception following each concert. Jazz lovers can also enjoy a special seating for dinner for an additional $30/person. Call 910-235-8710 to purchase tickets.

Overnight rates offer an attractive getaway starting at $179 per person per night, including concert ticket/ reception, dinner, breakfast, accommodations and champagne delivered to the room.

The Heart'n Soul of Jazz weekend is a two-night series of benefit concerts for the Arts Council. Other key sponsors include Progress Energy, American Airlines, BB&T, Wachovia, and Lyne's Furniture Gallery. Ticket rates include entrance into select drawings and giveaways. The entrance leading to the Cardinal Ballroom will come alive with demonstrations and art displays by the Artists League of the Sandhills.

For more information or to make a reservation, see www.pinehurst.com or call 800-487-4653.?