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
Big Band Scene 
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
Black History Minutes 
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
Classic Jazz MN 
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
Jazz At MPS  
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
Jazz at South High 
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
Jazz from J to Z 
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
Jazz Originals 
4 Pieces

Butch Thompson hosts this program that features original jazz recordings and the occasional live performance.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 24, 2011
Series image
Jazz88 Live From Studio 1 
12 Pieces

Long-form interviews and performances by Minnesota musicians

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 14, 2018
Series image
Junctions & Sidetracks 
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
KBEM's 50th Anniversary Celebration 
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

Native Roots of Jazz: Pee Wee Russell
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Pee Wee Russell, Credit: William P. Gottlieb
Pee Wee Russell, who asserted a part-Cherokee background, stands as one of most innovative clarinet players in jazz.

Bought by WTJU, WDSE, WTJU, and WDSE


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 4
Native Roots of Jazz: Max Roach
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Max Roach, Credit: Albert Kok
Best known as a bebop player, Max Roach (of Tuscarora ancestry) was named a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master in 1984.

Bought by WTJU, WDSE, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Native Roots of Jazz: Oscar Pettiford
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Oscar Pettiford, Credit: William P. Gottlieb
Oscar Pettiford (whose mother was full-blooded Choctaw and father, half Cherokee) was one of the top bassists during the 1940's and 50's.

Bought by WDSE, WTJU, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Native Roots of Jazz: Jim Pepper
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Jim Pepper
The son of a Creek mother and Kaw father, saxophonist Jim Pepper grew up surrounded by the songs and dances of inter-tribal powwows. Pepper was a ...

Bought by WTJU, WDSE, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Native Roots of Jazz: Charlie Parker
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Charlie Parker, Credit: William P. Gottlieb
A leading figure in the development of bebop, Charlie Parker (of Choctaw ancestry), is regarded as the greatest saxophonist of all time.

Bought by WTJU, WDSE, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Native Roots of Jazz: Thelonius Monk
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Thelonius Monk, Credit: William P. Gottlieb
Of Tuscarora ancestry, Thelonious Monk was one of the most inventive pianists of any musical genre. Dubbed the “High Priest of Bebop”, Monk introd...

Bought by WTJU, WDSE, WDNA, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 4
Native Roots of Jazz: Charles Lloyd
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Charles Lloyd, Credit: Dorothy Darr
Program notes for the 2015 National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master Awards Ceremony describe Charles Lloyd as “one of the key figures in the expa...

Bought by WDSE and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Native Roots of Jazz: John Lewis
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: John Lewis, Credit: Bert Verhoeff
John Lewis was of Cherokee and Comanche lineage and is best known as the musical director and leader of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Bought by WDSE and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Native Roots of Jazz: Illinois Jacquet
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Illinois Jacquet, Credit: William Paul Gottlieb
Jean Baptiste Jacquet is better known by his nickname, Illinois, which was given to him by his Sioux mother and comes from the Indian word “Illiniw...

Bought by WTJU, WDSE, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 3
Native Roots of Jazz: Dizzy Gillespie
From: KBEM
Series: Native Roots of Jazz
Caption: Dizzy Gillespie, Credit: Roland Godefroy
Dizzy Gillespie (of Cheraw descent), was one of the most influential players in the history of jazz. He was named a National Endowment of the Arts ...

Bought by WTJU, KAZU Seaside, Calif., WDSE, and WTJU


  • Added: Apr 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 4

Purchased Pieces

see all

Playlists

none

Staff of KBEM

User image
Philip Nusbaum
independant producer
User image
Travis Ryder (Admin)
Program Director, KBEM
User image
Michele Jansen
User image
Patty Peterson (Admin)
On air host-Show producer for KBEM for AMPERS
Caption: PRX default User image
Joel Glaser (Admin)
Caption: PRX default User image
Samuel Keenan (Admin)
Caption: PRX default User image
Hlee Lee (Admin)
Caption: PRX default User image
Daniel Sigelman (Admin)
Caption: PRX default User image
Cassie McDuffie (Admin)