Sam Wisman

Sam started listening to jazz regularly on the radio when he was just 13 years old, and his life as a musician and radio guy continues to intertwine. Son of a merchant and a classical musician, he came to Kansas City to attend the UMKC Conservatory and study with the legendary saxophonist, composer, and Jazz Messenger, Bobby Watson. During school, he shelved a lot of records and played "drop the needle" at the Marr Sound Archives. After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Percussion Performance, Sam became a versatile fixture in Kansas City's music scene.

Sam is a member of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the People's Liberation Big Band, Kinnor Philharmonic, Marimba Sol de Chiapas, Owen/Cox Dance Group, HoraceScope, and the Roger Wilder Quintet & Trio. Sam has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Ensemble Iberica, the Topeka Symphony, Weird Al Yankovic, Ana Gasteyer, Krystle Warren, Bobby Watson, Terrell Stafford, The New York Voices, Matt Otto, Hermon Mehari, The Sons of Brasil, and plays regularly with, Mark Lowrey, Chris Hazelton, Ken Lovern, Matt Hopper and many more.

He has worked extensively as a percussionist in musical theater including helping to premiere works by Harry Connick Jr., Stephen Schwartz, Shirley Jones & Richard Maltby Jr., Jodi Picoult, Henry Krieger & Bill Russell, and Ahrens & Flaherty.

He hosted Jazz Afternoon on 90.1 FM KKFI for over 10 years as well as working behind the scenes as a producer, data & traffic specialist, and community marketing representative. Currently Sam is a producer for 91.9 Classical KC and a back-up announcer for Kansas City's NPR affiliate, KCUR 89.3.

• Wednesday at 5:00 PM for 2 hours: Jazz Across America- Kansas City

Here's our full On-Air Schedule.