For the 26th anniversary of the Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz event, the Arts Council of Moore County and Pinehurst Resort will present Broadway star Simone Saturday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. at the Carolina Hotel, in Pinehurst.

A highly praised live performer whose impressive resume includes starring roles on Broadway in such acclaimed musicals as "Rent" and "Aida," Simone is her own woman, a singer, a songwriter, and a performer whose ability to transcend genres echoes the tradition of her mother, musical icon and pioneer Nina Simone. Blessed with a rich vocal range and an innate skill for lyrical interpretation, she is very much her mother's daughter and is most assuredly a multi-talented artist in her own right.

Having toured the world and graced such stages as the Sydney Opera House, Montreaux Jazz Festival, New York's Lincoln Center and Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl, she is enjoying the success of her 2008 release, "Simone On Simone," a big band tribute to her mother produced by famed jazz musician and arranger Bob Belden.

"This is my tribute to my mother, a chance for me to do the songs I love the most the way I hear them. It's a glimpse of my life over four decades," says Simone.

With a rich heritage to draw from, a wealth of accomplishments and accolades as a Broadway star and live performer, and a finely-developed sense of her own unique artistry, Simone is ready to establish herself as a successful recording artist of the first order.

To round out this special Valentine's weekend for Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz, Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band will perform on Friday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.

Tickets for Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz are on sale now at www.ShopPinehurst.com. The $65 ticket (or $110 for both nights) includes the concert, Meet-the-Artists dessert reception following the concert, and a chance for a door prize.

Pinehurst Resort is offering a special preconcert dinner in the Carolina Dining Room each night for $40 per person (all inclusive). In addition, a Valentine's Weekend overnight package starting at $189 per person, per night is available and includes a ticket to the 8 p.m. concert, dinner, admission to the Meet-the-Artists dessert reception, champagne delivered to your room and breakfast the next day. For overnight packages, call (800) 487-4653.

The major sponsors of Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz are Pinehurst Resort, Progress Energy, American Airlines, and King Fisher Society. Sponsors of the Meet-the-Artists dessert reception are Wachovia and BB&T. Lyne's Furniture Gallery will provide a $1,000 shopping spree as Friday night's door prize for a lucky audience member. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Arts Council of Moore County.

For additional information, visit www.mooreart.org.