It’s a monthly tradition. The Silver Tones strike up the music and dancers glide onto the floor at the Oak Harbor Senior Center.

“We make old people think they are young again,” said Jack Caldwell, band leader.

Band members are similar in vintage to the folks they entertain, ranging in age from 60 to 82-year-old Bill Nelson, the band’s vocalist. They play music from the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.

The band doesn’t stay on the stage all the time while playing. They step off into the dancers and manage to continue playing.

“We act up and are kind of silly,” Caldwell said.

Well, the folks at the senior center must like it because they keep coming back for the dances that each month sport a seasonal theme.

The band has been playing for the seniors since 1987.

“We think we’re the best band between Whidbey Avenue and the swimming pool,” Caldwell joked.

Some of the band’s members are professional musicians.

For instance, pianist Jodi Burcham is the musical director at Coupeville Methodist Church and involved with other musical groups. Marc De Leeuwe used to play professionally, providing music for such TV personalities as the Galloping Gourmet, he said.

The band practices once a week, but sometimes make a mistake or two or maybe it’s just the license of musical improvisation.

“People relate better to those who make mistakes, rather than those who are perfect,” he said.

Caldwell inherited the leadership role when his predecessor quit. He takes it all in stride as he likes new challenges. He taught himself to play the clarinet, the saxophone and the clarinet.

The band members come from all walks of life, law enforcement, sales, health inspection, machining and personnel. But one thing they share: “We all love music,” he said.