Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz began in 1986 as Jazz ‘n January by presenting great jazz performed by world-class musicians and was immediately enjoyed by enthusiastic audiences from all over the country!
Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz was the brainchild of Mal & Marge Owings when it burst onto the local music scene as a fundraiser for the Sunrise Theater (then called the Performing Arts Center) in Southern Pines, which was renovated & owned by the Arts Council. The performers for the first six years of this event were Loonis McGlohon Trio with vocalist Maxine Sullivan (1986), Loonis McGlohon Trio with vocalist Marlene Van Planck (1987), and Salty Dogs (1988).
In 1989, Jan & Ed Schnell were asked to chair the event. Because of their hard work, dedication, and passion for jazz, Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz became one of the most special nights in the Sandhills. The Buck Creek Jazz Band performed in 1989 & 1990, and again in 1991 with pianist Ed Metz.
In 1992, Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz outgrew the Sunrise Theater and moved to Pinehurst Resort’s elegant Carolina hotel. During this time, the caliber of the performers only improved:
1992 – Shirley Horn Trio and Gregg Gelb Swing Band
1993 – Loonis McGlohon with Carrie Smith, Buck Creek Jazz Band with Ed Metz
1994 – Loonis McGlohon with Mike Campbell & Gene Bertoncini
1995 – Marian McPartland, Loonis McGlohon, Carrie Smith, & Buck Creek Jazz Band
1996 – Johnny Frigo, Michael Moore & Dorothy Donegan
1997 – Diane Schurr & Dorothy Donegan
1998 – Karrin Allyson & Buck Creek Jazz Band
1999 – Ellis Marsalis, Milt Jackson & Karrin Allyson
2000 – Toots Thielmans, Corky Hale & Art Van Damme
2001 – Karrin Allyson, Harry Allen & Randy Sandke
2002 – Nicholas Payton & Lars Edegran New Orleans Music Show
2003 – Herbie Mann, Romero Lubambo, Toots Thielemans, Kenny Werner, & Monty Alexander
2005 – Monty Alexander, Harry Allen, Joe Cohn, Buck Creek Jazz Band, & Lars Edegran
2006 – Troy Davis & the New Orleans Jazz Messengers with Juanita Brooks & Phillip Manuel
2007 – Freddie Cole & Tierney Sutton
2008 – Butch Thompson & Sophie Milman
2009 – John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey & Marcus Belgrave
2010 – Tierney Sutton, Harry Allen, Joe Locke, Duduka Da Fonseca, Nilson Matta, Helio Alves & Maucha Adnet
2011 – Original Dixieland Jazz Band & Simone
2012 – Pat Bergeson, Annie Sellick & Brian Newman
2013 – Preservation Hall Jazz Band
2014 – Colleen McHugh
2015 – Tierney Sutton & Buck Creek Jazz Band
2016 – Molly Ringwald
2017 – John Pizzarelli
2018 – Delfeayo Marsalis
2019 – Aubry Logan
2020 – Jazzmeia Horn
Due to the Covid pandemic, Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz took a hiatus in 2021 and 2022, but moved to SCC’s Bradshaw Performing Arts Center for two great concerts by Clint Holmes & the Heart of Carolina Jazz Band in 2023 and Jane Monheit & the Christian Tamburr Trio in 2024. While no event is scheduled in 2025, plans are underway to bring back this special event bigger and better than ever. Check back for more details.