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: Dakota Dave Hull, Credit: Dale B. Hanson
Dakota Dave Hull has been recording and performing for decades. But as time has moved forward, the output has increased. And it all seems original,...

  • Added: Nov 21, 2016
  • Length: 06:49
Caption: Dan Newton w/Cafe Accordion, Credit: Jim Dryden
Dan Newton is playing seemingly all the time and seemingly every musical genre. It all adds up to entertaining accordion-based shows with a great c...

  • Added: Nov 21, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Patty and the Buttons, Credit: Elizabeth WIndsperger
For variety, you can’t top vaudeville. Carrying the torch for this venerable concept is Patty and the Buttons who lead a troupe of seasoned pros in...

  • Added: Nov 15, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Dakota Dave Hull, Credit: Dale B. Hanson
Dakota Dave Hull plays many musical forms, all with understanding and sensitivity. Plus, his commentaries on music contain a lot of the fun factor....

  • Added: Nov 11, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Bob Bovee, Credit: Bill Patterson
Bob Bovee is a committed singer of old folk songs, playing concert halls, living rooms and everything in between. He does it with good humor and ha...

  • Added: Nov 09, 2016
  • Length: 07:13
Caption: Steve Kenny of the Illicit Sextet, Credit: Andrea Kramer
Illicit Sextet is a group composed of composers with varied approaches. Theirs is mature modern jazz, with varied approaches and thoughtful, collab...

  • Added: Nov 05, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Rick Carlson Andrea Canter, Credit: Andrea Canter
Rick Carlson. All by himself he puts on quite a show playing American songbook classics. But if you ask him, his peak moments might just be in his ...

  • Added: Oct 31, 2016
  • Length: 09:29
Caption: Laura MacKenzie, Credit: Melissa Buss
When you think of any kind of Celtic traditional music, you do not think of horn arrangements. But that’s just what Laura MacKenzie has added to tr...

  • Added: Oct 31, 2016
  • Length: 04:59
Caption: Laura MacKenzie, Credit: Laura Buss
Twin Cities Celtic Music icon Takes a Whole New Direction Long a staple of the Twin Cities Irish and Scottish traditional music scenes, Laura MacKe...

  • Added: Oct 27, 2016
  • Length: 08:12
Caption: Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee, Credit: Bill Patterson
Pop Wagner is a multi-talented singer and player specializing in different strains of traditional music. He’s been doing it all for about 40 years....

  • Added: Oct 20, 2016
  • Length: 08:51