THE “SLY” ROAST AND JAM

THE “SLY” ROAST AND JAM

Inimitable roastmaster (and trumpet player) Tony Frank takes to the podium at Piazza Gavi, 5415 N. Kolb Road, to roast his good buddy and jazz pianist Sly Slipetsky on Monday, May 28 – an event sure to make this Memorial Day truly memorable.

“In the tradition of the Friars’ Club and Dean Martin roasts, our jazz community of regular knuckleheads takes on the honorable task of roasting a true musical force and great friend to us all,” said Frank. “This beloved, talented, shy, sweet, relatively innocent, big hearted, soft spoken, old-fashioned, master of the keys and tuba is in a league of his own as a musician.

“But as a person and a friend, he is an example to us all in professionalism, loyalty, humility, patience, brotherhood and love. So who better to poke fun at than one of the best of us!

"Sly is stoked to be in the hot seat. Remember, we only roast the ones we love.”Frank promises there will be lots of jazz along with the laughter. He says this roast will be “An unforgettable night of your favorite forgettable slackers playing great tunes and dropping the skinny and silly on the Sly Man!

“WARNING,” adds Frank in capital letters. “This is a roast! It will get a little 'Blue.' If you are easily offended or generally have a big stick up your ass, then keep your boring self at home. Nothing is off limits and everyone is liable to take a jab or two. So come have a blast at the SLY ROAST and JAM!!!!”

Being an equal opportunity insulter, Frank reminds everyone that “As your roastmaster, this is also everyone's opportunity to skewer me as well. There's plenty of material for that! So bring it!”

Just be sure to “come laugh, drink, jam and toss some bread in the love jar for one of our favorite sons.”

Warming to his task, Frank described the other musicians joining him on stage as: “'Jungle' John Einweck - Mad Scientist of the piano; Lew 'Who knew?' Leply - Local silly scat cat and keys weirdo; Artt 'The Face' Frank - The Legend - "Hey! Keep it down in the cheaper seats!; Hank Feldman - Tuba Mad Man and scattin' fool!; Ed Delucia - Local pan handler (i.e. guitarist).” From Facebook it was announced that Evan Dain will also join in on bass and banjo. Music starts at 7 p.m., with the roasting to begin at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m. says Frank, the serious jamming will start and continue “until they kick us out!”

A donation of $5 is suggested for the Sly Vacation Fund. Restaurant reservations are recommended. You can also contact Tony Frank, 520-370-9939.