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: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Fuzzy Math. It’s a jazz group that enjoys close passes with pop. Fuzzy Math plays in the Twin Cities, including at the Black Dog in St Paul, Fri Ma...

  • Added: Jan 31, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Mark Arneson, Credit: Deb Moe
To Mark Arneson Band featuring Mia Dorr holds, having fun is the name of the game. You can really hear band members enjoying themselves in this im...

  • Added: Jan 30, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Mark Arneson, Credit: Deb Moe
The Mark Arneson Band featuring Mia Dorr holds down the stage at Vieux Carre, 8-11 PM Wednesday February 6. To Mark, having fun is the name of the ...

  • Added: Jan 30, 2019
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: Patrick Adkins, Credit: Andrea Canter
Jon Morgan curates Wednesday nights at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis. It is a night when local jazz players try out musical ideas and experim...

  • Added: Jan 25, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
This coming Friday and Saturday, the Cedar Cultural Center presents the Cedar Commissions concert. Each night from 7:30 till 10:30, 3 artists who h...

  • Added: Jan 22, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Tim Sparks and James Buckley CD cover art, Credit: James Tallala
Guitarist Tim Sparks and bassist James Buckley. It’s a duet that adds to the legacies of the great songs they play. Phil Nusbaum talked to Tim and ...

  • Added: Jan 17, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: New Riverside Ramblers, Credit: Benny Moreno
The New Riverside Ramblers is a Minneapolis-based Cajun music band that has been entertaining dancers and listeners for decades. Phil Nusbaum talke...

  • Added: Jan 16, 2019
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: New Riverside Ramblers, Credit: Benny Moreno
The New Riverside Ramblers is a Minneapolis-based Cajun music band that has been around for decades. You can catch the band at Vieux Carre this Sat...

  • Added: Jan 16, 2019
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: Sparks and Buckley Cover art, Credit: James Tallala
Guitarist Tim Sparks and bassist James Buckley celebrate their 3-year partnership with a CD release event at the Icehouse in Minneapolis, Thursday ...

  • Added: Jan 14, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Salsa del Soul, Credit: Lisa K Hyatt Photography
Salsa is where virtuosic music meets great dancing. Shai Hayo plays timbales and leads this Minneapolis/Saint Paul-based band. He spoke with Phil N...

  • Added: Jan 10, 2019
  • Length: 08:00