Lying flat on his back, not able to move and with a drain in his head, jazz musician Lee Roth, of St. Louis, asked the hospital chaplain for what he believed would assist in his healing. Upon receiving the boombox, Roth tuned the dial to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound.
“When you’re sick and in the intensive care unit, it’s extremely stressful,” recalled Roth. “I was in ICU for four days and could not move. I wanted to listen to music, which I do almost all of my waking hours. I listen to WSIE in the car, and when I’m at home. I love the station.”
Roth had surgery on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at Saint Louis University Hospital to alleviate a brain bleed in his head. The surgery and procedure drained 2 ½ cups of blood from his brain.
“Listening to WSIE in the ICU improved my attitude and demeanor significantly,” said Roth. “I felt I had something to focus on. That was all I needed. It became a very comforting and great experience. I also introduced my nurse to jazz and the station.”
“We are amazed by Roth’s story and are proud to have been an essential part of his recovery,” said Jason Church, WSIE general manager. “I have loved jazz my whole life and always thought it was life affirming. This brings a whole new meaning to the importance of the music I have dedicated my life to promoting.”
Roth, who plays the vibes and has played in jazz bands across the country, moved back to his native city of St. Louis in 2016. The musician started noticing some awkwardness in his movements on January 15 of this year.
“I started being clumsy with my left hand, spilling coffee and things,” confessed Roth. “I thought I was being careless. A couple of days later, my left leg started feeling badly. My doctor told me to go to the hospital, because it could be the beginning of a stroke.”
“I thought it would warrant a simple solution,” he continued. “I was lying in a CAT scan and heard one of the doctor’s say, ‘brain bleed.’”
It was not where the musician thought he would end up. His life and music career had taken him across the world to such places as Chicago, New York, Paris, London and New Zealand.
During Roth’s travels, he also crossed paths with such jazz greats as Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. Roth also met the widow of “The Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy.
“When I lived in New York, I worked for Hertz. Part of my job included picking up customers, and one of our customers was Mrs. W.C. Handy,” explained Roth. “I picked her brain about her experiences with her husband and learned a lot. “One day, Mrs. W.C. Handy had me pick her up and take her to Duke Ellington’s home. She asked me if I wanted to come in, and I said of course.”
“I met him, his wife and his two children,” Roth reminisced. “He was outrageously fantastic, gracious, attentive and wonderful. I will never forget it.”
While Roth has enjoyed the role music has played in his life, he is thankful to be able to relish it even more. Today, Roth’s health is greatly improved.
“I’m doing well,” smiled Roth. “I’m living a normal life, but I’m different. I’m a more grateful man. I’m a lucky man.”
April is recognized as Jazz Appreciation Month, fondly known as “JAM.” The month was created to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April.
Serving Southwestern Illinois and the Greater St. Louis area, WSIE 88.7 The Sound delivers a rich blend of jazz, smooth jazz, blues and easy R&B. While mostly focusing on music, WSIE also broadcasts SIUE sports, public interest shows, and student programming for a widely diverse listenership. WSIE also strives to broaden the visibility of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville while enhancing its image as an essential regional resource.
Photo: St. Louis Jazz Musician and avid WSIE listener Lee Roth.