SIUE’s WSIE Radio Station to Host its Jazzathon Fundraiser, Beginning Nov. 11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound will kick off its Jazzathon Week on Saturday, Nov. 11. The fundraiser will run until Sunday, Nov. 19 on the listener-supported radio station.

"We are excited to bring our second Jazzathon to the airwaves," said WSIE General Manger Jason Church. "Although we will be making the ask for support all week long, we will be presenting a special event from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov 16, that will include in-studio performances, interviews from legendary local performers, surprise guests, behind-the-scenes fun and more."

"Tim Cunningham will be coming in for an in-studio performance," he added. "Aaron Burlbaw and Farshid Etniko will do a Latin guitar duo set, among other guests. It's going to be a lot of fun!"

During the week, on-air hosts will draw attention to the fact that the station is hoping to reach its fundraising goal of $10,000.

"WSIE's operational expenses need to be covered in order for us to move forward and grow," explained Church. "One of the primary ways that we can raise funds to operate, is through reaching out to our listening audience and asking for donations. That is the primary purpose of the WSIE Jazzathon - to educate our audience on why it's important for them to give. But we want to make sure that we do it in an entertaining and fun way."

Supporters can make contributions online at wsie.com/support.

88.7 The Sound is the region's only remaining 24/7 FM radio station dedicated to playing, promoting and preserving jazz and its companion genres. It is one of only 16 remaining Smooth Jazz Billboard chart reporters in the United States. WSIE delivers a rich blend of jazz, smooth jazz, blues and R&B, among other companion genres of music, along with Cougars Basketball and specialty programming, which now includes Monday afternoon's Blues and Soul Patrol from 3-7 p.m. with Tom 'Papa' Ray. WSIE 88.7 The Sound is a community-supported radio station and that means that their future depends upon listener donations.

Photos:
(L-R): Performing at this year's earlier Jazzathon are trumpeter Jim Manley and guitarist Rick Haydon.

Pianist Mark Harris II performs on the keyboards at WSIE's Jazzathon in February as WSIE General Manager Jason Church looks on and enjoys. Far right is bassist and engineer Larry Kornfelds.

(L-R): WSIE student volunteer Jenna Williams, WSIE student volunteer Leo Tomich, SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD; WSIE student volunteer Sarah McDaniel and WSIE General Manager Jason Church.