EMU Today

YPSILANTI — 89.1, WEMU, Eastern Michigan University’s public radio station, and the EMU Marching Band will celebrate 45 years of jazz on the radio in a special halftime tribute show at the EMU vs. Kent State football game that begins at noon Saturday, October 14.

The marching band will be joined on the field by the EMU Jazz Ensemble and local jazz luminaries, Keith Kaminsky (sax), Paul Finkbeiner (trumpet), and James Hughes (sax).  WEMU’s senior music announcer and weekday jazz host, Michael Jewett, will announce the show from the press box.

“We’ve been looking forward to this show for over a year,” said WEMU General Manager, Molly Motherwell.  “There was no room in the schedule for the tribute last year, our actual anniversary year, so we moved it to this season.  It’s a perfect wrap for our 45^th anniversary, celebrating with our students and colleagues at EMU.”

Director, Nick Smith, and two band members added their thoughts on the show which features professional jazz musicians and enhanced sound.

“The Directors and Staff of the EMU Marching Band are elated to bring the celebration of WEMU’s 45 years of Jazz to Rynearson Stadium!” said Smith. “Featuring three incredible jazz artists and our own EMU Jazz Band, this halftime show will be an experience that appropriately showcases the unique jazz art form and the importance it has had on our campus through 89.1, WEMU .”

Port Huron sophomore and baritone sax player, Jujuan Adams is a member of EMU’s jazz band.

“I've been in jazz for four years now. It's been some of the best moments of my life. I've also been in the marching band for six years of my life. Knowing that I'll be able to combine the two, brings so much joy and happiness to me. Jazz standards like "Birdland," "Don't Mean a Thing," and "At Last," are great but I'm extremely excited to play "Spain” Adams said, referring to the selections chosen for the show.

“From the beginning till the end, you're on the edge of your seat waiting for the next part of the piece. Not just that, I'll be playing my bari for Spain too! I am so grateful to be a part of the jazz and marching bands this season. Go Green!”

Saxophonist and Michigan Center, junior, Robert Janz chimed in.

“As a longtime jazz performer, enthusiast, and multi-year member of the EMU Jazz Band, I am thrilled to combine the excitement of some of my favorite music with the great musicianship and excellence that's unique to the EMUMB. The tunes featured in this show have long been favorites of mine, and I could not be happier to be able to transform them into a powerful experience unlike anything either band has done before.

The EMUMB has been the single most transformative experience I've been involved with on campus, and through my three years of membership, I have found a strong sense of community unlike any other. I have loved being able to work on tunes like Chick Corea's "Spain," one of my all-time favorite songs, with some of my best friends and musical collaborators, and I can't wait to bring that experience to a stadium full of our fans!”

Wyandotte senior trumpet player, Carter Coyne added, "As a current long-time member of the Jazz Ensemble and a previous member of the EMU Marching Band I am very excited for this jazz concept for the marching band. It's not very common for marching bands to perform jazz music so it's very exciting that EMU will be putting in a whole show dedicated to one of America's greatest pastimes."

#teamwemu will be recognized on the field as part of the event and Motherwell will be interviewed at halftime of the game broadcast on 89.1

A select group of EMU Marching Band supporters will have access to an exclusive event, hosted in the press box of Rynearson Stadium during the open rehearsal. Offering premium viewing, delicious apps, and an opportunity to meet the Directors of the EMU Bands, this behind-the-scenes VIP experience is open to anyone for a small donation. All proceeds immediately benefit students of the EMU Marching Band, including the purchase and maintenance of instruments, funding travel, per diem, scholarships, equipment, staff, etc.  Gifts can be made online by clicking here.   

About 89.1, WEMU
89.1, WEMU, signed on for the first time on December 8, 1965.  After experimenting with a variety of musical formats the station settled on jazz in 1977 the same year it became an NPR affiliate.  The station broadcasts to an 8-county area including all or part of Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston, Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, and Lucas (OH), streams live 24 hours a day at wemu.org, and has a free downloadable mobile app.  Last April, WEMU was awarded Station of the Year, Public Radio Group 1 by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.