The Moodswings Jazz Band

Artist Information

Biography

The MoodSwings began when a group of six female musicians found each other through their love of jazz. They wanted to create a welcoming and nurturing environment to grow and share their passion for this music genre. Small coffee houses performances in the Seattle area followed, and The MoodSwings were born! Over the past 5 years, The MoodSwings has grown to full Jazz Orchestra capacity, including singers, soloists, and even a Jazz Harp! The 19 members continue to adhere to their core values of musicianship, encouragement and friendship. This camaraderie can be heard in their trademark sound.

In late 2009 The Mood Swings initiated their applications for Nonprofit Status. Their members are very active in the community, and donate their time and energy to sustaining the group. The MoodSwings also support other musical groups in the area through promotion and referrals.

Mission Statement
As a performing arts group, the MoodSwings Jazz Band aims to inspire a love of jazz to the members of the greater community by:
• Cultivating an empowering and supportive environment for female musicians of all ages to
• develop skills in the jazz music genre
• Providing performances for diverse audiences to preserve and increase appreciation of an American legacy art form

Active Musicians
MoodSwings members come from all around the Seattle area. They call South Seattle, Bellevue, Lynnwood, Snohomish, Edmonds, Shoreline, and Mukilteo, home. Students, teachers, gardeners, computer programmers, biologists, property managers, and stay-at-home moms fill their ranks. All of their full-time members are female, though they do have a few men fill in when a regular musician is unavailable. They practice weekly, polishing their sound and skill set. This dedication to their craft shows in their professionalism and commitment to their craft.

Influences include Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Cole Porter, Perez Prado, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington as well as the more contemporary sounds and arrangements of Maynard Ferguson, Brubeck, Tito Puente, Louis Prima, Harry Connick Jr., Chuck Mangione, Average White Band, Michael Buble, and Diana Krall.

With our gifted musicians, many who have degrees in music, we are comfortable playing and soloing on all forms of music.
Besides the Jazz band, we also offer small combos that can play in confined areas, and that can transition from a classical Wedding March, right into Gershwin's "Our Love is here to Stay" with ease.

We have many references, and repeat clients, including The City Of Edmonds Park Series, The Alderwood Mall and University Village, Cascade Aviation Services, Alki Arts Walk, Mercer Island Mainly Music series, The Magnolia and Shoreline Festivals, Many Seattle area Farmer's Markets, West Coast Dance Invitational, Central Market In Shoreline and Mill Creek, Seattle Center's Winterfest and Dance, The Univ. of WA. Swing Kids, The Elks Club, Third Place Books at Lake Forest Park, Crossroads in Bellevue, and The Seattle Aquarium, to name a few.

What sets us apart?
We love our music, we care about our audiences, and we truly support our members. That kind of camaraderie shows through during our performances. We work very hard to perfect the music so all generations of a family will come away from our gigs feeling happy and fulfilled.

The Big Band sound is part of American History and is worthy of repeat performances in all it's current genres.
That is why we are proud to offer one of the largest collections of Jazz, Holiday and Hawaiian arrangements of any Big Band in The Northwest! ( Can you say, Luau? )
Check us out at - The MoodSwings Jazz Band
www.the-mood-swings.com

Instrumentation

Cathy Baylor - French - Piano
Paula Cusano - Drums
Laurel Snow - Upright Bass
Carol Levin - Jazz Harp
Sophia Kowlaski - Vocals
John Cusano - vocals
Debbie Dawson - Trumpet
Laura Tutt - Trumpet
Marissa Tanimura - Trumpet
Janice Deckmann- Trumpet
Robyn Rydzak - Trumpet
Kim Mauch - Trombone
Alice Grette - Trombone
Jenny Brown- Trombone
Karen Mathison -B. Trombone
Lisa Vallins - Flute, Clar. Tenor Sax
Rachel Mayer - Alto Sax, Flute
June Ellis - Alto/Sop Sax
JoAnn Hartline -Bari sax, Clar.
Sharon Hall - Tenor Sax, Clar.

Discography

We have recorded 2 CD's, one of which is available for purchase. It is called "In A Vocal Mood" Excerpts can be found streaming on our website -
www.the-mood-swings.com
Purchases are easily made through our website's PayPal account

Audio

• Why Don't You Don't Do Right
  Listen   Download
• Bei Mir Bist Du Schon
  Listen   Download
• Mac the Knife
  Listen   Download

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• West Coast Dance Challenge [+ Show ]
  

  I just wanted to say another BIG thank-you to The Mood Swings for their great contribution to our Di...I just wanted to say another BIG thank-you to The Mood Swings for their great contribution to our Dinner Show entertainment last weekend. The band and the soloists were so talented and wonderful to listen to. It was perfect dinner music. It was great dancing music. There were many wonderful comments talking to people afterward. Thanks again so much and we'll keep you in mind for next year.
  
  Josie Caputo
  WCDC Dinner Show Co-ordinator
  West Coast Dance Challenge
  Everett, WA
  

• Private Auction [+ Show ]
  

  The Mood Swings Combo played for our Harbour Pointe Montessori School auction. The music was wonderf...The Mood Swings Combo played for our Harbour Pointe Montessori School auction. The music was wonderful. While the silent auction was being conducted the band played non-stop. The casual jazz set a classy tone and mood for the entire evening. We could not have had such a successful auction without this excellent musical addition. I would highly recommend them for any event and will surely book them in the future!
  
  -- Margaret A. Holland
  Owner/Director
  Harbour Pointe Montessori School
  Mukilteo, WA

• Cascade Aviation Corporate Party [+ Show ]
  

  Awesome sound, great energy, and a talented group of really nice gals. From the organization, to the...Awesome sound, great energy, and a talented group of really nice gals. From the organization, to the implementation, they made our Company Party a swingin' one. We will definitely hire them again.
  Cascade Aviation Services
  
  

• Live Dance Music at 3rd Place Books [+ Show ]
  

  These ladies are really too good to be true! Their repertoire is huge, they're more than accomplishe...These ladies are really too good to be true! Their repertoire is huge, they're more than accomplished, and they're fun as heck to watch as well as listen to. Oh -- and the age range of the musicians adds another fun dimension to the enjoyment! I love them -- I think everyone who hears them will too.
  

• Seattle Times - A Pinch of Attitude
  

  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2004080945_moodswings19n0.html

Setlist

Set lists are dependent on the gig - Is it a Wedding? a Dance? a Concert in the Park? A Bat Mitzvah? A Conservative Retirement Home? A 50th Anniversary? A University Dance Club invitational?
We can cater the songs to the gigs, thanks to our extensive music library of over 300 charts. We even do Luaus and Holidays tunes!
Our performances vary from a 2 hour set,
a 3 hour set (with break)
and the occasional 4hr. with appropriate breaks.

A typical 2- set song list:

Woodchopper's Ball, It had to Be you, Blue Moon, Manteca, One O'Clock Jump. Here, There and Everywhere, Shaker Song, Moon River, Route 66, Muy Caliente, Brazil, Bizet Has his day,
Embraceable You, Singin' in the Rain,
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, In The Mood, Sway,
Sing, Sing, Sing, Feels So Good,
Straighten up and Fly Right,
The Sound Of Philadelphia, Carnival Del Soul, LaRubia,
Blue Rondo Ala Turk, Take 5, Groovin Hard,
Coconut Champagne, American Patrol, Mack The Knife,
The Peanut Vendor, Begin the Beguine, Gravy Waltz
Why Don't Ya Do Right? Brazil, Beyond the Sea,
Crazy Litttle Thing called Love,
Bandstand Boogie, and
Jump, Jive and Wail.

See the website or contact us for our complete library of songs.
We can also arrange to "locate" your favorite song too!

Basic Requirements

Calendar