The Arts Council of Moore County and Pinehurst Resort announce that Pat Bergeson and Quartet, with vocalist Annie Sellick, will open the 27th annual Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz on Friday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. in the Cardinal Ballroom at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst.

Guitarist and harmonica player Pat Bergeson has written, toured and recorded with many of his musical heroes. Beginning at the University of Illinois in his home state, he moved on to New York City and earned a jazz studies degree at William Paterson University. After playing in New York for 10 years, Bergeson arrived in Nashville at the request of Chet Atkins, who had heard him on a demo tape. They became good friends and toured together for several years.

A versatile guitarist as well as chromatic and diatonic harmonica player, Bergeson's style incorporates jazz, blues, rock and finger-style, and he is known for his session work with a variety of artists such as Bill Evans, Lyle Lovett, Bill Frisell, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Michael McDonald and many others. He is also a teacher and producer and has appeared on many movie soundtracks.

Annie Sellick is a straight-ahead jazz vocalist known for her captivating stage presence. She is the resident vocalist with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, with whom she has recorded, and she gave a celebrated sold-out performance of jazz with the Nashville Symphony Pops Orchestra. >Her artistry lies in her "personal touch," which reaches non-jazz audiences, people of all ages, and jazz audiences alike. She has performed all over the world with such incredible musicians as B.B. King, Bela Fleck, Curtis Stigers, Mark O'Connor and the late Eddie Higgins.

To round out this special jazz weekend, Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz will present trumpeter and vocalist Brian Newman and his quartet on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.

Tickets for Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz are on sale now at www.ShopPinehurst.com. Tickets, which are $65 per person for one evening or $110 for both nights, include the concert, a Meet-the-Artists Dessert Reception after the concert, and a chance for a door prize.

Individual ticket holders can also take advantage of a special pre-jazz dinner for $40 inclusive of tax and service charge. Dinner reservations can be made by calling (910) 235-8434. Special early seating for Jazz ticket holders begins at 5:30 p.m. each evening.

For overnight packages, call (800) 487-4653 or visit www.Pinehurst.com.

The major sponsors of the event are Pinehurst Resort, Progress Energy, American Airlines and King Fisher Society. Sponsors of the Meet the Artists Dessert Reception are BB&T and Wells Fargo. Lyne's Furniture Gallery will provide a $1,000 shopping spree as Friday night door prize, and Pinehurst Resort will provide a romantic weekend stay for two at the Sanderling Resort & Spa in Duck, as the Saturday night door prize.

Proceeds from Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz will benefit the Arts Council of Moore County.

For additional information on Heart 'n' Soul of Jazz and the Arts Council, visit www.mooreart.org.