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: Kate Lynch, Credit: Drew Shonka
Everybody loves the pop music of 1920-1955, but it takes commitment to research and present it. But that’s the mission of Kate Lynch and Her Most E...

  • Added: Dec 23, 2016
  • Length: 06:58
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Cedric Fuller and Global Sound. It’s a group from the Twin Cities that picks up from the combinations of soul, rhythm and blues,l funk and jazz th...

  • Added: Dec 17, 2016
  • Length: 06:02
Caption: KBEM logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Sonny Knight and the Lakers. Sonny has roots in blues funk and r and b, and has been performing virtually his whole life. Today, focused on music a...

  • Added: Dec 17, 2016
  • Length: 07:40
Caption: Scottie Miller Band, Credit: Jim Vazquez
Many bands start out as good ideas. But it takes talent and commitment to for bands to grow. That is the case with the Scottie Miller Band. The gro...

  • Added: Dec 16, 2016
  • Length: 08:07
Caption: Scottie Miller Band, Credit: Jim Vazquez
The Scottie Miller Band. The group has been around a long time, and it has always been a creative and evolving unit playing original music. And the...

  • Added: Dec 16, 2016
  • Length: 04:59
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
It’ll be familiar Christmas songs, but not the same old way as Cedric Fuller leads Global Sound into the Black Dog in Saint Paul. Cedric told Phil ...

  • Added: Dec 14, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Lori Dokken, Credit: Jennifer Bong
The Lori Dokken Story is one of constant growth. She started out playing and singing, but now she also arranges music and directs ensembles. She sp...

  • Added: Dec 05, 2016
  • Length: 09:19
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Sonny Knight. He’s Mississippi born, but has lived in Minnesota since childhood. He talked with Phil Nusbaum about music in general, and about his ...

  • Added: Dec 04, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Kate Lynch, Credit: Drew Shonka
Kate Lynch and Her Most Excellent Fellows started out almost by accident. But Kate fell in love with old jazz, took off with it and met some top-n...

  • Added: Dec 03, 2016
  • Length: 04:59
Caption: Cafe Accordion, Credit: Jim Dryden
Dan Newton is a Twin-Cities based accordionist who does it all on the accordion. Yes, he plays polkas and waltzes, but all kinds of pop music, too....

  • Added: Nov 27, 2016
  • Length: 09:10