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: Sherry Minnick, Credit: Elizabeth Lofgren
Sherry Minnick has sung many styles of music in her life. In the last few decades she has focused on great traditional songs, many of them very old...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Mar 02, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: The Caprice Saxophone Quartet, Credit: Alison Bents
The Caprice Saxophone Quartet is an accomplished group playing a varied and challenging group of pieces in a Studio Z Saint Paul concert on March 7...

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  • Added: Feb 28, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dean Sorenson in his UMN Office, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
The University of Minnesota Jazz Festival is a great event in scholastic jazz. It’s where high school kids make college choices, and where the whol...

  • Added: Feb 19, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Twin Cities Jewish Chorale, Credit: Peter Eckert
The Twin Cities Jewish Chorale was formed six years ago to provide opportunities to sing types of Jewish music other than that which is sung in syn...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 15, 2015
  • Length: 04:56
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Choro Borealis, Credit:  Antonella Borgatti
When was the last time there was a local group specializing in Brazilian choros? Maybe never. But Choro Borealis has been playing for a few years,...

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  • Added: Feb 06, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Pig's Eye Jass Band at the Minnesota State Fair, Credit: Nancy Hite
The Pig’s Eye Jass Band out of the Twin Cities has been around seemingly forever. Many people come to the Minneapolis Eagles Club to dance the firs...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 28, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: The High 48s, Credit: Daniel Corrigan
On January 31, the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association celebrates its 40th anniversary by creating an event to remember, Twelve in T...

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  • Added: Jan 21, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Leigh Kamman, Credit: Photo courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio
Many of the jazz artists touched by Jazz radio host Leigh Kamman combine to celebrate Leigh’s life on January 25, 2015. The event will take place a...

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  • Added: Jan 16, 2015
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Joan Griffith, Credit: Ann Marsden
Joan Griffith and Reuben Ristrom are two jazz guitarists who love working together to interpret music on their guitars. The piece features Joan tal...

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  • Added: Jan 04, 2015
  • Length: 04:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: JT Bates at the drums in his Minneapolis studio, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Three experienced players have formed a new organ trio that is one of the more promising groups on the scene, the JT Bates Organ Trio. In the piece...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 31, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1