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: KBEM logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Guitarist Daniel Volovets has two careers going: guitar performance and medicine. The music and medicine combination might like a full plate, but i...

  • Added: Jun 10, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Daniel Volovets, Credit: Adrian Volovets
Guitarist Daniel Volovets has two careers going: guitar performance and medicine. Catch Daniel’s guitar career at the Warming House in Minneapolis ...

  • Added: Jun 10, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Hoaxer, Credit: Lee Tran
The guys from Hoaxer have reconvened after another period of study in locations across the continent. They are bassist Charlie Lincoln, drummer Edm...

  • Added: Jun 06, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Pat Donohue, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Pat Donohue and the Prairie All Stars grew out of Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band on the Prairie Home Companion radio show. The group is still fresh and s...

  • Added: Jun 05, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Pat Donohue, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Pat Donohue and the Prairie All Stars grew out of public radio’s Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band. Next Thurs the group holds down the stage at Crooners. P...

  • Added: Jun 05, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Cody Steinmann, Credit: Kyndal Johnson
Cody Steinmann leads the Sightless Quartet. It’s a jazz group that that is open to influence by other contemporary genres, such as pop and metal. T...

  • Added: May 31, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Mark Arneson, Credit: Deb Moe
The Mark Arneson Band featuring Mia Dorr holds down the stage at the Minnesota music Cafe, 8-11 PM Wednesday February 6. To Mark, having fun is the...

  • Added: May 27, 2019
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: Bend in the River Big Band, Credit: Paul Rippe
Thursday at 6 begins swing dance night at the Wabasha Street Caves in Saint Paul. Coming this Thursday, The Bend in the River Big Band provides the...

  • Added: May 24, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
The Red Stag Supper Club in Minneapolis hosts pianist Jon de Vaal’s piano bar, 9 till midnight, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month. Jon comes in ear...

  • Added: May 23, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Patty Peterson, Credit: Jennifer Bong
Over the decades, The Peterson Family has been prominent in Minnesota Jazz. Willie, the dad, led the house band at a prominent Twin Cities radio st...

  • Added: May 20, 2019
  • Length: 08:00