Mardi Gras from The Big Easy comes to Pinehurst this February with one of the world's most renowned jazz groups for the 28th annual Heart 'n Soul of Jazz.

Presented by the Arts Council of Moore County, the event will feature the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Saturday, Feb. 16.

This "one night only" of New Orleans music and Mardi Gras frivolity will take place in the Cardinal Ballroom of the Carolina Hotel and is sponsored by Pinehurst Resort, American Airlines, Progress Energy and King Fisher Society.

After the concert, patrons can enjoy the meet-the-artists dessert reception in the Grand Ballroom, sponsored by BB&T and Wells Fargo. The door prize is sponsored by Lyne's Furniture Gallery.

Heart 'n Soul of Jazz is a benefit for the Arts Council of Moore County.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe.

The band travels worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans jazz.

Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British royalty or the king of Thailand, their music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit.

Under the auspices of current director Ben Jaffe, the son of founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of its greatest attributes in the modern day as a venue, band and record label.

The PHJB began touring in 1963, and for many years there were several bands successfully touring under the name Preservation Hall.

Many of the band's charter members performed with the pioneers who invented jazz in the early 20th century, including Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Bunk Johnson.

Band leaders over the band's history include brothers Willie and Percy Humphrey; husband and wife Billie and De De Pierce; famed pianist Sweet Emma Barrett; and in the modern day, Wendall and John Brunious. These founding artists and dozens of others passed on the lessons of their music to a younger generation who now follow in their footsteps, like the current lineup.

Heart 'n Soul of Jazz tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at a special early purchase price of $55 per person. After Jan. 15, the ticket price will be $65 per person.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performance. Open cabaret-seating is in the intimate, two-tiered Cardinal Ballroom. A limited number of tables of 10 are available to be reserved in advance. Cocktail attire/black tie optional is expected dress.

Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Council offices (Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines) or online at www.MooreArt.org.

For additional information on the Heart 'n Soul of Jazz, call (910) 692-2787 or visit www.MooreArt.org.