Decades ago, Rebecca Roudman and Jason Eckl were music students who fell in love with swing dancing—including a dance on the decks of the USS Hornet in Alameda. This weekend, they return to perform at the very same aircraft carrier with the band they co-founded, Death and Taxes swing band, keeping the rhythm of the ’40s alive.
The Valentine’s Day swing dance on Saturday, Feb. 14, will feature drinks, appetizers, live music and plenty of dancing. Novices are offered a free lesson at the start by professional dancers, who also help partner up any singles without a date.
“Being on the ship is like walking back in time, experiencing history while dancing and listening to the music of that time,” said Roudman, lead vocalist, explaining that the museum serves as the perfect backdrop to jive to mid-century classics.
Now married and instructors at California State University East Bay, Roudman and Eckl formed the group several years ago to give students a chance to perform jazz. Although classically trained, the pair performs a wide range of music and have spent years touring with their blues and rock group, Dirty Cello.
“In college, we realized there’s not enough opportunities if you pigeon-hole yourself,” Eckl recalled. He encourages all music students to branch out and be versatile. “It’s a lifelong calling to learn as much as possible so you can keep performing.”
Today, the Death and Taxes swing band is a mix of seasoned professionals and a rotating cast of students. “Each time you encounter us is a little different,” Eckl said. “The group has a big age gap. It’s a unique sound, and also full of energy.”
Mentorship is an important part of the band’s mission. As graduates today face a tougher job market and economy, many are discouraged from pursuing their artistic passions. Those who pursue their dreams often face an uphill battle, with unpaid internships in creative and nonprofit sectors presented as a rite of passage.
“One of the scariest things is graduating college and saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m in the real world, what do I do now?’” said Roudman.
At this Saturday’s performance, all the students will be paid—including the ones onstage and those managing ticketing and sound behind the scenes. “They’re doing just what everybody else is doing, and they’re learning on the job,” said Roudman. “It’s a chance to take them under our wing and show them what the music business is like.”
For attendees as well, the event is designed to be inclusive. As tickets for music concerts and sporting events soar to eye-watering levels, advance tickets are priced reasonably at just over $30 after fees, and will be $35 at the door.
“We wanted to make this different from other Valentine’s Day events,” Roudman said. “You go to a Valentine’s Day event and it’s so expensive, there’s never parking and it’s sort of stressful because you have high hopes.”
The band deliberately keeps things “loose and relaxed.” They play at a slower tempo, making the music friendly for both beginners and advanced dancers who want to show off fancy footwork.
“Some swing events are not welcoming to people that don’t know how to dance,” Eckl said. “Our event is welcoming to everyone, whether they want to dance or sit and watch.”
Valentine’s Day Dance
Saturday, Feb. 14
7pm
USS Hornet: Sea, Air and Space Museum
707 W Hornet Ave., Alameda
Tickets $33.85 in advance on Eventbrite, $35 at the door
