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: Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Credit: Diego Ramallo
The Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra is 18 pieces in all. It’s got a growing book of tunes, a growing audience and growing stature. In 2017, the Tw...

  • Added: Sep 22, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Credit: Diego Ramallo
The Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra is 18 pieces in all. It’s got a growing book of tunes, a growing audience and growing stature. In 2017, the Tw...

  • Added: Sep 22, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: JC Sanford, Credit: Andrea Canter
Trombonist JC Sanford is a prolific composer of jazz, and spends a lot of time making sure the pieces reflect different styles and inspirations. An...

  • Added: Sep 20, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: JC Sanford, Credit: Andrea Canter
Trombonist JC Sanford leads his quartet into the Black Dog in Saint Paul this Saturday night September 30 at 8:30. JC is a prolific composer of jaz...

  • Added: Sep 20, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Patty Peterson, Credit: Jennifer Bong
The Jazz Women All-Stars are back in a big show coming soon. Phil Nusbaum tells us about it.

  • Added: Sep 19, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Southside Aces, Credit: Jonathan Hankin
The period after World War I in the USA is known as the Jazz Age. It was a time when Americans were trying out new things, new kinds of fun, and ja...

  • Added: Sep 12, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Southside Aces, Credit: Jonathan Hankin
F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the leading sons of Saint Paul. He wrote about what has come to be known as the jazz age, the period after World War ...

  • Added: Sep 12, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: The Overtones, Credit: Chimgee Haltarhuu
Background music is the specialty of the Overtones and the group does it well. Interviewer Phil Nusbaum talked to Dave Hofgren of the Overtones, wh...

  • Added: Sep 11, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: The Overtones, Credit: Chimgee Haltarhuu
Background music is the specialty of the Overtones and they do it well. Catch the Overtones act at the Riverview Wine Bar, every Wed from 7:30 to 9...

  • Added: Sep 11, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Debbie Duncan, Credit: Nathan Yungerberg
When you go to a Debbie Duncan show you enjoy a great vocal jazz stylist. But Debbie says that it is all in service of the lyrics to the songs, and...

  • Added: Sep 08, 2017
  • Length: 08:00