David Dreier
Updated: 10/13/2026 09:48
David DreierK.C. to KJazz
Wayne Shorter, David Dreier and Herbie Hancock in Herbie’s study
A sixth-generation Kansas Citian, David Dreier’s love of jazz began at age seven when his father taught him about Kansas City’s rich jazz history. He explained that jazz is America’s original art form from which Rock and Roll, R&B and more emanated. He took David to a Count Basie concert where he heard a tune that Mr. Basie called “April in Kansas City.” He’s not sure how long it was before he realized that it’s actually “April in Paris.”
David’s mother was a classical concert pianist who performed a duet with Van Cliburn.
At age 12, he obtained his third class FCC radio operator license and had a small transmitter playing jazz from his basement with the dream of one day being in radio. School radio stations were as far as he got before being diverted into other fields of endeavor.
David’s love of KJAZZ, he calls it an “oasis,” and meeting station manager Stephanie Levine, reminded him of the forgotten childhood dream which has become a reality as he shares his favorite music and related experiences hosting: "David Dreier: K.C. to KJazz."
