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: Wolverines quartet with Judi Vinar, Credit: Paul Nixdorf.
Judi has stood in the forefront of Midwest vocalists for decades. She’s teamed up with the Wolverines Swing Band for 20-plus years, and they’ve bee...

  • Added: Jul 09, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Debbie Duncan, Credit: Nathan Youngerberg
Debbie Duncan is a vocalist who needs little introduction in the Twin Cities. With over 30 years locally, Debbie is one of the defining figures in ...

  • Added: Jul 03, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
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The Feel Good Revolution is a night of healing through comedy, jazz, spoken word, and hip hop. The Feel Good Revolution was back one final time b...

  • Added: Jun 30, 2016
  • Length: 02:06:12
Caption: Edmunt Catlin on the drums with the group Hoaxer, Credit: Lee Tran
Edmund Catlin is a young Twin Cities drummer who, while still in college, plays in a variety of jazz bands. To Edmund, playing jazz requires a comb...

  • Added: Jun 29, 2016
  • Length: 06:53
Caption: Charlie Lincoln, Credit: Andrea Canter
How do you become a jazz musician? The key just may be persistence. You can take lessons and school courses, but if you really want to play jazz…we...

  • Added: Jun 29, 2016
  • Length: 05:21
Caption: Hoaxer, Credit: Lee Tran
What do student jazz players do? They work had during the school year, and when summer comes, they work even harder playing in bands with their fri...

  • Added: Jun 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: The Bend in the River Big Band, Credit: Paul Rippe
The Bend in the Big River Big Band is named for 2 Mississippi River bends. One is in Saint Peter, where the group was formed. And the other bend is...

  • Added: Jun 24, 2016
  • Length: 08:44
Caption: Joe Cruz, Credit: Emily Jane Davis
Joe Cruz. He’s got his feet planted in traditional styles. Perhaps that is why when he plays, it all seems so right, even though he does a lot of m...

  • Added: Jun 19, 2016
  • Length: 08:58
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Joan Griffith interviews local guitarist Zacc Harris, joining him on several pieces of music as they also discuss how to teach jazz, the process of...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2016
  • Length: 58:26
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Violinist Gary Schulte tells us about the time he had creme brulee that was so good, it inspired him to write a song...and then performs it with gu...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2016
  • Length: 04:54