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


  • Added: Aug 01, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Mila, Credit: Larry Morisette
Members of the Mila Vocal Ensemble have been singing together for over 40 Years. Today, Mila is a group of nine women who travel to eastern Europe ...

  • Added: Jul 24, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Mila, Credit: Larry Morisette
Members of the Mila Vocal Ensemble have been singing together for over 40 Years. Today, Mila is a group of nine women who travel to eastern Europe ...

  • Added: Jul 24, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Ticket to Brasil, Credit: Andrea Canter
Like all Bossa Nova groups, Ticket to Brasil builds on the musical legacy of Antonio Carlos Jobim. But until now, the group has never devoted an en...

  • Added: Jul 14, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Ticket to Brasil, Credit: Andrea Canter
Ticket to Brasil Honors Bossa Nova Great Antonio Carlos Jobin in Big Show at Crooners on Sunday July 23 Like all Bossa Nova groups, Ticket to Bras...

  • Added: Jul 14, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Leslie Vincent, Credit: Michelle Bennett
Leslie Vincent’s New CD is filled with unexpected new songs and reimagined old songs. The project is called About Last Night and Leslie will be sin...

  • Added: Jul 05, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Leslie Vincent, Credit: Michelle Bennett
Leslie Vincent’s New CD is filled with unexpected new songs and reimagined old songs. The project is called About Last Night and Leslie will be sin...

  • Added: Jul 05, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Phantom Cries album cover, Credit: Kashimana Ahua
As a grant-supported Cedar Commissions artist, Kashimana created a set of songs about becoming a mother. The songs are now on CD, called Phantom Cr...

  • Added: Jul 05, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Phantom Cries album cover, Credit: Kashimana Ahua
As a grant-supported Cedar Commissions artist, Kashimana created a set of songs about becoming a mother. The songs are now on CD, called Phantom Cr...

  • Added: Jul 05, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Eli Hoehn is the force driving the Minnesota Original Music Festival, which takes place in Saint Peter Wednesday July 19 through Sunday July 23. Th...

  • Added: Jul 04, 2023
  • Length: 08:00