Moody’s Bistro & Lounge is hosting a musical event unlike any other when the Fifth Annual “Jazz Artists in Residence” returns to Truckee July 13 to 18, 2009. Moody’s jazz camp is one of the music world’s most unique happenings, when some of the country’s most talented musicians take time out of their touring schedule to immerse themselves in jazz while performing and brainstorming with their peers. The week-long event isn’t about a bunch of bands performing separate shows, but rather it’s a gathering of jazz musicians who come together as one in the interest of inspiring each other to play at an even higher level. The result is a blending of musical minds unlike anything ever witnessed by jazz audiences anywhere.

During the unforgettable week, jazz fans will have the chance to interact with Grammy-nominated musicians during free jazz shows, a week-long kid’s camp and a benefit for the Truckee Youth Music Program.

As the event unfolds, jazz artists are inspired as they interact with their musical peers, providing an elevated level of passion and creativity that isn’t usually heard during traditional shows. By immersing themselves in music for the week-long event, the artists infuse a lot of color and culture into Truckee nightlife. The town becomes a base camp for the country’s most talented jazz musicians.

“Jazz Artists in Residence” includes four free evening jazz shows at Moody’s from Monday, July 13 to Thursday, July 16. These same performers also will conduct free clinics during the Kids’ Jazz Camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, allowing children to develop an appreciation for music in general and for jazz as a whole. On Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, the well-known musicians and special guests will treat Moody’s audiences to an inspired performance as part of a benefit for the Truckee Youth Music Program.

According to JJ Morgan, Moody’s Bistro & Lounge co-owner, “when we first started the camp we had like twelve kids. It was three days long. Now there are 70 kids and it is a full week. You could just tell this was going to be something special. The enthusiasm of the musicians is what makes it so great. It has really become an amazing week. The camp is so inspiring and then you roll right into the shows at night and you’re just so bummed when it ends.”

Due to a week where nothing distracts them from their passion for jazz, the musicians deliver some of the most energetic and innovative shows a jazz fan will ever witness. For the four free evening shows at Moody’s, Liberty Ellman will perform on guitar, Peter Apfelbaum on piano, Adam Theis on brass, John Ellis on saxophone, Josh Jones on drums and Sam Minaie on bass.

New York City guitarist/composer Liberty Ellman has played with musicians such as Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, Greg Osby, Dafnis Prieto, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Eric Harland, Harold Ousley, Jason Moran, Bob Stewart, and Drew Gress. He is known for a rhythmic charge and a decisive touch. Another featured “Jazz Artists in Residence” performer is Peter Apfelbaum, whose Signs of Life album received a Grammy nomination in 1991 for the opening composition. Apfelbaum’s music is known to have a polyrhythmic mix of African and Western elements. Adam Theis is a member of the Shotgun Wedding Quintet Hip Hop Symphony, known for its marriage of two seemingly unrelated musical styles—hip hop and jazz, and recent recipient of a $50,000 grant, which he used to orchestrate a groundbreaking hip-hop symphony in the 2009 San Francisco Spring Jazz Festival. John Ellis, who also brings considerable talent to the 2009 Moody’s jazz camp lineup, has studied under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, Harold Battiste and Victor Goines and has played with the renowned guitarist Charlie Hunter. “Jazz Artists in Residence” performer Josh Jones has played with Jazz Greats Don Cherry, Steve Coleman and Omar Sosa and was the former lead of Hueman Flavor, one of the most acclaimed groups of San Francisco's jazz movement. Sam Minaie, the final jazz artist in residence for this year’s event, is a New-York-City-based musician who was born and raised in Reno and now tours with Monk Piano Competition Winner Tigran Hamasyan and co-leads the Axis Trio.

As a grand finale to the “Jazz Artists in Residence”, Dublin will join the camp teachers and special guests for an energetic and innovative show on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18 as a benefit for the Truckee Youth Music Program. Dublin also will host a new “Writing, Rhyming and Freestyling” clinic at the kid’s camp this year. Dublin combines the live elements of an MC with the range of a vaudeville performer. Dublin’s appearance at Moody’s will serve as a fitting finale for an event that promises to delight jazz fans while educating students on the joys of music. Admission both nights for the Truckee Youth Music Program benefit is $5.

Located inside the historic Truckee Hotel on Commercial Row, Moody's Bistro & Lounge is known for its locally sourced ingredients served in an informal atmosphere reminiscent of Tahoe in the 1920s. The restaurant serves a variety of Contemporary American specialties in a range of affordable price points, as well as a seasonal drink menu made with fresh herbs and fruit. The lounge also is home to live jazz shows by top U.S. and international acts. Moody's is located a few minutes from Interstate 80 at 10007 Bridge Street in Truckee (on the corner of Commercial Row). For reservations, call (530) 587-8688 or visit www.moodysbistro.com.