Moo'd Swing

Mood Swing, now in its 12th year consists of Donna Green, Mike Sanderson, Bob Birnie and Rachel Melas.
Mood Swings previous incarnation, the Buckaroos, was the merging of Mike and Donnas musical past. Mike Sanderson, a singer, ukulele and guitar player has spent a lifetime playing with friends whose musical styles include ol time, country and bluegrass - a healthy mix of roots music. But his true roots in music have come from years around the piano with family members belting out the ol popular and jazz chestnuts from the 20;s, 30s and 40s.
This influence ultimately resurfaced in Mood Swing.
Donna Greens musical past also started at an early age but took a more professional turn after winning a local radio contest as best songwriter. Her first performance, backed by the infamous Ian and Sylvia Tyson band, the Great Speckled Bird, included a mix of country, folk and pop music. She made her rounds at the folk festival circuit, Toronto bars, radio work and recorded with the likes of Gwen Swick (Quartet), Colin Linden, Chris Whiteley and Daniel Lanois who produced her first demo. Donna brings her vocals and guitar playing to Mood Swing but also her vocal arrangements, which adds to the unique band sound.
Mike and Donna met through common musical friends and ultimately merged members of his band, the Don Valley Ramblers, with members of her band, the Fabulous Cowbelles. This became the melting pot of 1950s country music with 1930s swing and popular jazz, hence the name and creation of Mood Swing.
Donna and Mike met Bob Birnie at song circle a neighbourhood jam. Banjo Bob, a multi-talented instrumentalist, playing guitar, banjo and mandolin also sings and writes his own material and co-writes with many local Toronto singer-songwriters. He shares a similar musical background in folk and ol time music, which makes for a perfect fit with Mood Swing. As luck would have it, the vocal blend of Bob, a tenor, Mike a baritone and Donna, an alto, makes for the perfect three part harmony singing, a trademark of Mood Swings sound.
The band members enjoy re-arranging the old classics but also love digging for more obscure songs from the past.
Mood Swing tries to deliver the music with a little twist. This was enhanced when Drew Jurecka, nominated as Canadas most gifted jazz violinist in 2007 joined the band for the recording of this C.D. The icing on the cake has been working with Rachel Melas, our regular bass player who is a great musician and a pleasure to work with.
We hope you enjoy the music. Please contact Donna Green at donnagreen@rogers.com or call 416 461 5083