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
Series image
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: Tjårnblom, Credit: Erika Pirness
Tjärnblom celebrates its third CD, “Woods,” at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, this Friday at 7PM. But this new project marks big ch...

  • Added: Sep 17, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Victor Zupanc and Kevin Kling, Credit: Brandi Carlisle
Writer and storyteller Kevin Kling teams with singer Victor Zupanc to highlight Summer turning to Fall. It’s the latest in a series of performances...

  • Added: Sep 05, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Victor Zupanc and Kevin Kling, Credit: Brandi Carlisle
Writer and storyteller Kevin Kling teams with singer Victor Zupanc to highlight Summer turning to Fall. These ultimate troubadours, as Crooners Sup...

  • Added: Sep 05, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
One of the most popular jazz acts ever was the Nat King Cole trio. Cole’s widespread popularity began in the 1940s, and he still commands the atten...

  • Added: Aug 31, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
One of the most popular jazz acts ever was the Nat King Cole trio. Cole’s widespread popularity began in the 1940s, and he still commands the atten...

  • Added: Aug 31, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Wayne Anthony, Credit: David Murphy
Wayne Anthony sings the standards, with a big emphasis on the Frank Sinatra repertoire. This Friday and Saturday, it’s all Sinatra. The show is cal...

  • Added: Aug 28, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Wayne Anthony, Credit: David Murphy
Wayne Anthony sings the standards, with a big emphasis on the Frank Sinatra repertoire. When Wayne talked to Phil Nusbaum, they talked about Sinatr...

  • Added: Aug 28, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Tim Sparks, Credit: Tim Hasbach
The greatness of the pop group the Beatles might just be in the musical possibilities inherent in the group’s songs. This Saturday night at 6:30 at...

  • Added: Aug 15, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Tom Wells and Thomassina Petrus, Credit: Sue Kearns
The Selby Avenue Brass Band is led by Tom Wells who writes and arranges a lot of Selby Avenue Brass Band music. He goes about it differently depend...

  • Added: Aug 08, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Tom Wells and Thomassina Petrus, Credit: Sue Kearns
The Selby Avenue Brass Band does a lot of performing with singer Thomassina Petrus. On Sunday, August 27, the whole group performs during a church ...

  • Added: Aug 08, 2023
  • Length: 08:00