KBEM

StationAccount image
Recognized as the Twin Cities’ public radio voice for jazz and education, KBEM is a program of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Approximately 150 students annually participate in KBEM’s hands-on educational program, which focuses on all aspects of broadcasting and production. Students who develop their skills and select broadcasting experience can gain significant on-air time. The station is on-air 24/7 with 35 hours of student programming each week, with live professional announcers and pre-recorded, syndicated programming filling out the rest of the schedule. KBEM is the only station in the Twin Cities market which offers a jazz format and officially provides MN-DOT traffic reports.

KBEM was initially established at Minneapolis Vocational High School in the 1960s. The station was moved to North High School in 1983 as a part of the District’s desegregation initiative and it continues to reside there today. The vast majority of KBEM students attend North High School.

Series

Caption: Acme Big Band
1 Piece

This progam features Minnesota Big Bands, including the Nova Big Band, the Acme Big Band and the University of Minnesota. Twenty-five Big Bands in Minnesota have recorded CDs. Interviews with local Big Band personalities are presented occasionally.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Mar 23, 2010
Caption: PRX default Series image
3 Pieces

Minneapolis high school students script and read 60-second pieces based on research into important figures in African American history.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Feb 11, 2010
Caption: PRX default Series image
4 Pieces

"Classic Jazz MN" is a series exploring Minnesota's classic jazz roots. The series includes shows on Doc Evans, Doc Evans at the Walker Art Center, Preservation Hall Era and the Emporium of Jazz. Written and produced by Butch Thompson. Co-produced by Todd Melby.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 23, 2011
Caption: Jazz At MPS with Josh Jones and the Dynamics
24 Pieces

Jazz music from students in the Minneapolis Public Schools.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jul 24, 2013
Caption: South High School Jazz Band-director/Scott Carter with guest Irvin Mayfield
6 Pieces

Jazz at South High features music from past and present South High Jazz Ensembles and brand new recordings by the South High Jazz Combo. Each week's show will feature never before heard performances of the South High Jazz Combo that are recorded at South High.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jan 03, 2013
Caption: KBEM Jazz 88 FM, Credit: http://www.jazz88fm.com
4 Pieces

The Twin Cities Jazz Society annually presents a series of concerts by local artists. Jazz 88 chose six of these concerts to record for broadcast.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 12, 2010
Caption: Butch at the Steinway, Credit: Ross Ayoka
4 Pieces

Butch Thompson hosts this program that features original jazz recordings and the occasional live performance.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 24, 2011
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12 Pieces

Long-form interviews and performances by Minnesota musicians

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 14, 2018
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12 Pieces

Junctions & Sidetracks, the story behind the creation of Empire Builder a musical about a time traveling train. Conversations about family, history, race and forgiveness. Music by George Mauer. Libretto by Ann Bertram. Funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Mar 28, 2019
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31 Pieces

From humble beginnings in 1970, KBEM-FM has become the most powerful and longest-lasting radio station owned by a Minnesota school district, and one of the nation’s leading broadcast voices for jazz. Explore the people, places and events that have shaped KBEM’s first 50 years in this audio series.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: May 02, 2022

Latest Pieces

Caption: Ian George, Credit: Justin Gordon
Singer-Songwriter Ian George has a new, CD that references many music styles. Not only is it hard to place in any commercial genre, but it takes an...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
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In this episode, we hear performances from two student groups who performed on the youth stage at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest in 2023. First we hear ...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
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In this episode, we hear performances of various jazz groups from a spring concert in 2023. The students are joined by members of Star of the North...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
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In this episode, we hear a concert from a couple South High School jazz ensembles from the 2022-23 school year. We talk to band director Sophia But...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 57:29
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In this episode, we head to Edison High School to hear performance excerpts and talk to band director Lesley Earles about the program and the stude...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
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In this episode, we hear excerpts of live performances from Winona State jazz groups. We also talk to music directors Rich Macdonald and Aaron Lohm...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 58:21
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In this episode, we head to Southwest High School and a spring jazz concert put on by various student combos and the Southwest Jazz Big Band, heade...

  • Added: Mar 18, 2024
  • Length: 57:30
Caption: Hot Club at the Hook poster image, Credit: Hook and Ladder
The Mississippi Hot Club, the Red Hot Django Peppers and Gypsy Mania, three leading hot club jazz bands are getting together for a concert on April...

  • Added: Mar 17, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Yemi Love, Credit: Alvan Washington
Sue Scott is an actor who has always been touched by women's stories. So she started a series of live performances that are recorded and then poste...

  • Added: Mar 12, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
A.J. Srubas leads a group of great local fiddlers in a tribute to bluegrass fiddler, Kenny Baker. Baker served for many years as the fiddler in the...

  • Added: Mar 10, 2024
  • Length: 08:00