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

Series image
62 Pieces

Minneapolis High School Students, with the help of a team of educators and poets, were encouraged to write poetry. The poems created by the students are in some cases hard-hitting, and in others, cute.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jan 13, 2014
Caption: Susan Spongberg, Credit: Frank T. Heffelfinger III
9 Pieces

Minnesota Creates is curious about how creativity occurs, so Susan Spongberg asked an assortment of Minnesota artists how do you choreography a dance? Where do your novel’s characters come from? How do you decide what to paint?

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jan 14, 2014
Caption: Minnesota Jazz Legends: The Elders, Credit: Jim Davis
6 Pieces

Minnesota has many wonderful jazz musicians, still playing well into their 80's. Minnesota Jazz Legends: The Elders, features live and in studio performances and interviews, talking about their careers in the Twin Cities from early on to present.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 11, 2021
Caption: Jazz 88 FM, Credit: http://www.jazz88fm.com
15 Pieces

Minnesota Music Moment is a weekly feature of KBEM FM 88.5, each week highlighting a different Minnesota musician.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Feb 25, 2011
Caption: KBEM logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
373 Pieces

Each item in the series tells how a musicians is inspired, how s/he works, their goals and intents for their work; in general, how each gets motivation and follows through with a creative project.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Oct 09, 2015
Caption: Arne Fogel, Credit: John Whiting
65 Pieces

Minnesota Voices-Certain Standards Minnesota Vocalists perform new renditions of the Great American Songbook. Arne Fogel-Host

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Oct 31, 2012
Series image
2 Pieces

In a world and time of differences, music has the power to bring us together, to unite us through a shared experience. Music knows no boundaries. It transcends that which keeps us apart. Join Jazz88 for an evening of discovery with Music Without Borders.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Sep 04, 2019
Caption: Bobb Fantauzzo performing with Lyz Jaakola, Credit: Andrea Canter
18 Pieces

Native flute player Bobb Fantauzzo illuminates the contributions made by jazz musicians with Native American heritage.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 19, 2016
Series image
4 Pieces

Butch Thompson's Piano Bench Show looks at the piano stylings of the early performers of jazz.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jul 14, 2011
Caption: PRX default Series image
0 Pieces

Perspectives relating to Minnesota culture, history and the arts contributed by Minneapolis high school students.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 04, 2010

Latest Pieces

Caption: The OK Factor, Credit: Karla Colahan
The OK Factor is ten years old and to celebrate, it has issued a new CD called OKX. Now, as in the beginning, the OK Factor touches multiple musica...

  • Added: Mar 24, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: The OK Factor, Credit: Karla Colahan
The OK Factor is ten years old and to celebrate, it has issued a new CD called OKX. The celebration will be at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis t...

  • Added: Mar 24, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Kenan Serenbetz, Credit: Urian Franco
Catharus sings new songs reflecting religious traditions written by Kenan Serenbetz. Kenan is steeped in shaped-note and medieval singing. It has a...

  • Added: Feb 17, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Kenan Serenbetz, Credit: Urian Franco
Catharus sings new songs reflecting religious traditions written by Kenan Serenbetz. Kenan is steeped in shaped-note and medieval singing. It has a...

  • Added: Feb 17, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Katia Cardenas, Credit: Rebecca Slater
Katia Cardenas is a well-known Jazz vocalist from Minneapolis – St Paul. Lately, in her new songs written from experience, she’s revealed a more po...

  • Added: Feb 16, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Katia Cardenas, Credit: Rebecca Slater
Katia Cardenas Features Her New Songs 9:30 PM this Saturday Night at KJ’s Hideaway in Saint Paul. In a recent conversation with Phil Nusbaum, Katia...

  • Added: Feb 16, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: John Penny, Credit: Andrea Canter
Guitarist John Penny Is in touch with many jazz styles, and he uses many as sources for his new compositions. Also, when John performs, he offers i...

  • Added: Feb 12, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Robert Lehmann by Robert Lehmann, Credit: Robert Lehmann by Robert Lehmann
Cedar Commissions shows are here on Friday and Saturday February 17 and 18. Each performer receives funding from the Jerome Foundation to create ne...

  • Added: Feb 10, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Cedar Commissions artists are granted funds from the Jerome Foundation to Create New Musical Work and perform the work on the stage of the Cedar Cu...

  • Added: Feb 09, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Joan Griffith by Ann Marsden, Credit: Ann Marsden
Noted Twin Cities Guitarist Joan Griffith has Issued a new CD, called Sambanova 2. The project also features pianist Laura Caviani and cellist Greg...

  • Added: Feb 06, 2023
  • Length: 08:00