Kent is wrapped in the arms of love

Stacey Kent comes at jazz much as Norah Jones approaches pop. Both singers have soft, endearing voices and both render their songs with sunny, optimistic dispositions. Neither seems particularly comfortable with the darker, more deeply layered aspects of musical storytelling.

The London-based New Yorker’s appearance at Feinstein’s at the Cinegrill Tuesday night was her first in Los Angeles.

The venue could hardly have made a better booking for the Valentine’s Day holiday. Devoting most of her program to tunes from the recently released CD “The Boy Next Door,” the 35-year-old singer was at her best in the selections -- “The Trolley Song,” “The Best Is Yet to Come,” “People Will Say We’re in Love” and, of course, the title song -- that virtually define the romantic sentiments of Cupid’s favorite day.

Kent’s readings were enhanced by phrasing that emphasized the lyrics, by her warm, in-your-ear sound and by the airy touch of vibrato with which she ended most of her lines. Add to that her engaging musical presence and her sometimes intriguing sense of musical paraphrase, all of it buoyed by the brisk, swinging accompaniment of her husband, tenor saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, pianist Dave Newton and bassist Pat O’Leary.

She was less convincing in more torch song-like numbers such as “Say It Isn’t So” and “I Got It Bad,” which, unlike her other tunes, felt like musical recitations rather than expressions of personal reality. Still, who wants to be reminded of the pitfalls and hazards of love in a week devoted to the pleasures of coming together?

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Stacey Kent

Where: Feinstein’s at the Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood

When: Tonight to Saturday and Tuesday to Feb. 21. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 and 10 p.m.

Price: $65-$75 (includes show plus three-course dinner; does not include drinks, tax or gratuity). Limited number of seats available for $20 cover and two-drink minimum.

Info: (323) 769-7269