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: Lesley Earles, Credit: Paige Haggerty
Edison High School Jazz Band directed by Lesley Earles teams with Funk band The Good The Bad and the Funky for a 7PM performance at Edison on Tuesd...

  • Added: May 11, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Daniel Volovets and Jirea Calo , Credit: Sasha Sartain
Vocalist Jireh Calo and Guitarist Daniel Volovets formed a musical partnership based on shared interests. The two combine musical genres in ways th...

  • Added: May 09, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Willie West, Credit: April Onstad Bogatz
Some say Willie West’s greatest musical triumph was in the 1970s when he was the lead singer for the iconic pop group, the Meters. But Willie has n...

  • Added: Apr 24, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: 331 Poster, Credit: Siri Marie Beckmen
Sherry Minnick has been singing since childhood. She’s sung just about every style, but rarely with a percussionist, until now. Sherry’s new challe...

  • Added: Apr 22, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Brass Lassie, Credit: Gary Rue
Brass Lassie adds horn arrangements to the traditional mix of fiddles, flutes and concertinas. The group keeps on evolving, added repertoire learne...

  • Added: Apr 20, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Patrick Adkins by Andrea Carter, Credit: Andrea Canter
Pianist Patrick Adkins’ Quartet takes inspiration from Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. That includes covers as well or original music that Patric...

  • Added: Apr 15, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Patrick Adkins by Andrea Carter, Credit: Andrea Carter
Pianist Patrick Adkins’ Quartet takes inspiration from Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. That includes covers as well or original music that Patric...

  • Added: Apr 15, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Amanda Walbridge, Credit: Alan Towne
Local songwriter Amanda Walbridge has released a bluegrass CD called “Sunshine in the Valley. All of the songs on Sunshine in the Valley are Amanda...

  • Added: Apr 11, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Bobb Fantauzzo, Credit: Andrea Canter
Jazzen highlights the Native American flute as played by Bobb Fantauzzo with cellist Aaron Kerr and percussionist Derrin Pinto. In much of it’s rec...

  • Added: Apr 08, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Bobb Fantauzzo by Andrea Canter, Credit: Andrea Canter
Jazzen highlights the Native American flute as played by Bobb Fantauzzo with cellist Aaron Kerr and percussionist Derrin Pinto. In much of it’s rec...

  • Added: Apr 08, 2023
  • Length: 08:00