The Polka Jammer Network

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Airs Tuesday afternoons from
4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
(3:00pm - 4:00pm CST)

Repeat on Thursday mornings from
11:00am - 12:00pm EST
(10:00am - 11:00am CST)

Rob Szelewski is a newcomer to the broadcast industry, but he is no stranger to polka music.  Rob has been avidly immersed in his Polish heritage his whole life.  In the early 1980’s, Rob watched as his father was the drummer for the Salt City Brass in Syracuse, NY.  Growing up, he could listen to his great-uncle Bob Pietrucha, the "Silver Fox" of Polkas, Sunday afternoons on local radio stations.  Rob’s babcia was also a strong influence, teaching him what it means to be “Polish and Proud”.

At polka dances, there was one place you could find Rob; watching the drummer.  Rob himself has been playing since he was 3 years old, when his father placed him on his lap at his set.  While his father took up violin, trumpet and concertina, Rob also delved into music, playing the baritone (aka euphonium) and the trumpet in school.  Rob kept up with his polka drumming and still plays today.  You can watch him play by going to www.youtube.com/rtswildcat.

After spending 20 years in the cold of upstate NY, Rob moved to Tucson, AZ to attend the University of Arizona where he earned a degree in Sociology.  Rob is a police officer with the city of Tucson.  He has been working with the department for over four years and is a Lead officer, as well as a Field Training Officer.  His wife is a nurse for the VA Hospital. 

The Desert Heat Polka Show is guaranteed to get you up and dancing.  Each week’s show will feature a different theme, an album fresh off the press or a forgotten album from yesteryear.  Come join in on the fun but be careful; you might want to stretch first!