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: Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee, Credit: Bill Patterson
With Pop and Bob, it’s not only a night of old-time songs. The two have a way of keeping their act fresh with wit. While they have performed togeth...

  • Added: Oct 20, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Connie Evingson, Credit: Travis Anderson
Connie Evingson is one of the leading jazz vocalists in Minnesota. And she’s presenting a show of great songs that figure prominently in the histor...

  • Added: Oct 11, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Connie Evingson, Credit: Travis Anderson
She didn’t set out to do it this way, but along the way, jazz vocalist Connie Evingson realized she likes to sing songs that represent a theme, eit...

  • Added: Oct 11, 2016
  • Length: 10:36
Caption: Lori Dokken, Credit: Jennifer Bong
Lori Dokken leads a group of musical multi-stylists in Painting Joni. The group gives fresh spins to the multi-style offerings of Joni Mitchell, co...

  • Added: Oct 05, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Maud Hixson, Credit: Olivia Wilcox
Maud Hixson. You’ll catch her singing in front of big and small bands. But the common thread in all her performances is that she really cares about...

Bought by WHQR


  • Added: Sep 22, 2016
  • Length: 08:04
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Maud Hixson, Credit: Olivia Wilcox
Judy Garland, the 20th century show-biz icon from Minnesota is one of Maud Hixson’s great inspirations as a singer. Maud has rounded up a group of ...

  • Added: Sep 22, 2016
  • Length: 05:01
Caption: Roseville Big Band Trip to Acapulco 1989, Credit: Glen Newton
When you see a Roseville Big Band show, you get a complete package: Great arrangements, a polished vocal quartet, old songs that everybody loves, a...

  • Added: Sep 21, 2016
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: Roseville Big Band Trip to Acapulco 1989, Credit: Glen Newton
The Roseville Big Band brings its special arrangements to an Edina concert on Oct 2. Band director Glenn Newton tells Phil Nusbaum about it.

  • Added: Sep 21, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Patty Peterson, Credit: Jennifer Bong
Patty Peterson is one of the bright lights on the Peterson jazz family tree. Her family inspired her to get involved in music. And what they taught...

  • Added: Sep 15, 2016
  • Length: 09:37
Caption: Patty Peterson, Credit: Jennifer Bong
Is the Jazz scene some kind of men’s club? No, and especially not in this day and age. So why not get some of the women long-time luminaries of the...

  • Added: Sep 14, 2016
  • Length: 05:00