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: Katia Cardenas, Credit: Rita Zenefski
Katia Cardenas is a young vocalist who moved to Minnesota from California to study at Macalester. Eleven years later, she’s still working out of Sa...

  • Added: Nov 29, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Katia Cardenas, Credit: Rita Zenefski
Katia Cardenas is a young vocalist who moved to Minnesota from California to study at Macalester. Eleven years later, she’s still in Saint Paul, si...

  • Added: Nov 29, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Ukrainian Village Band, Credit: David Kasyanyuk
The Ukrainian Village Band has grown from a small community group to one that records and performs for varied audiences. Two band members, Stefan (...

Bought by KUER and PRX Remix


  • Added: Nov 24, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Ukrainian Village Band, Credit: David Kasyanyuk
Next Saturday, a Twin Cities acoustic community landmark event: It is the 10-year anniversary of the Ukrainian Village Band. The performance and ce...

  • Added: Nov 24, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Behind the scenes of the Acme Jazz Company are the thoughtful big band arrangements of artistic director Bob Parsons. Bob has his own arranging sty...

  • Added: Nov 21, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Wee Willie Walker, Credit: Doug Knutson
Wee Willie Walker is one of Minnesota’s great blues treasures. Willie plays a 9pm show at the Dakota in Minneapolis on Thursday night Nov 30. In a ...

  • Added: Nov 20, 2017
  • Length: 16:00
Caption: Wee Willie Walker, Credit: Doug Knutson
Wee Willie Walker is one of Minnesota’s great blues treasures. In a conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Willie reflected on the many ways, it’s a long ...

  • Added: Nov 20, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Credit: Diego Ramallo
Tonight we look ahead to next week, Tuesday November 28, when the 18-piece Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra performs at Jazz Central Studios in Mi...

  • Added: Nov 19, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Mango Jam. It’s a Twin Cities band that formed in 1989, and has played in 46 states. And throw in a good deal of recording as well. Because of fami...

  • Added: Nov 16, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Mango Jam. It’s a Twin Cities band that formed in 1989, and has played in 46 states. And throw in a good deal of recording as well. Because of fami...

  • Added: Nov 16, 2017
  • Length: 08:00