Founded in 2024, Chris Swan, a veteran piano player, singer, rapper, and entertainer who has been traveling the world, playing music for over 35 years, and Yuka Kameda, a rhythmically vibrant tap dancer and educator, met while performing at a Jazz Festival in New York City. The two hit it off with their mutual love of jazz and decided to continue creating music together.
Secret Drive’s mission is to show people how beautiful the world is and what is truly possible for their lives. “We don’t play to show you how good we are. We play to show you how good you are.”
By adding live tap dance, a visual representation of the rhythm section, we hope to change the way people view this beautiful African American art form. Tap can be a musical instrument and a part of a band, not strictly a solo or featured performance. “Tap is not only dance. It is music!”
Secret Drive’s debut live show will be at the world-famous Arthur’s Tavern in Greenidge Village in New York City. The band is joined by the renowned musicians, Ben Golder-Novick on Sax and Clarinet, Victor Murillo on Bass, and David Berger on Drums.
Chris Swan- Piano
Chris “Luppy” Swan is a New York City pianist, vocalist, rapper, and music educator who has performed all over the world! He combines his love for jazz, hip-hop, and R&B to create a unique sound that is both exciting and innovative!
Landing his first gig at the age of 12, he’s been going strong ever since. Being a singer, rapper, piano player, trumpet player, and writer has brought along many opportunities. This all progressed into numerous bands and projects before he started the LP Outsiders at Greenville University. LP Outsiders toured the country playing with some of the biggest bands of the time, landing them a song on the major motion picture soundtrack to “Three To Tango.” The band also appeared on the Disney Channel’s special “2-Hour Tour.” Chris also played trumpet on a b-side to Natalie Imbruglia’s smash single “Torn.”
Playing piano and singing, he has been a crowd favorite for years at numerous hotspots, including many popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean such as Aruba, St. Maarten, Curacao, Barbados, St. Kitts, and more! While pursuing a Bachelor of Music at Greenville University and then later at Hunter College, Swan has studied with such musical greats as Dr. Laila O’Sullivan, Geoffrey Burleson, Dave DeMotta, Adam Maness, and Fred Hersch.
When it comes to repertoire, Chris can do it all! He loves playing jazz instrumental versions of pop hits and Broadway classics. But he is also a versatile singer and rapper which allows him to sing and play all the crowd’s favorite hits from the Rat Pack to Motown to the 80’s and 90’s and even all the rap classics we know and love!
Chris’ biggest passion is to use music to encourage people to live the life of their dreams – whether that is through teaching or performing.
In 2021, Chris sold his house, his STL Piano Lessons business, and most of his belongings in order to follow his dream of moving from St. Louis to New York City, where he now resides, teaches through his own music school called My NYC Music Lessons, and performs.
Yuka Kameda- Tap Dance
Yuka Kameda is a New York City based tap dancer and educator. She started tap dancing at the age of 10 in Osaka, Japan.
In 2005, Yuka moved to New York City to pursue her career. She became a member of Mable Lee’s Dancing Ladies and has performed in the New York Tap Extravaganza and the New York City Tap Festival. She was also a member of Sophisticated Ladies, choreographed by Dormeshia, and performed weekly at the world-famous Cotton Club for three- and-a-half years.
Yuka has performed at venues such as the Blue Note, Birdland, Bryant Park, and Levon Helm Studios as a solo tap dancer. She has also performed as a solo tap dancer at South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world’s biggest film, interactive media, and music festivals.
Additionally, she was a member of Tapestry, a professional repertory tap dance company based in Austin, Texas.
Yuka currently works at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and Mark Morris Dance Center as a dedicated teacher.
Yuka’s highlights include performing for the Colbert Report and performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestrated by Wynton Marsalis with choreography by Jared Grimes.