KBEM

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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

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62 Pieces

Minneapolis High School Students, with the help of a team of educators and poets, were encouraged to write poetry. The poems created by the students are in some cases hard-hitting, and in others, cute.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jan 13, 2014
Caption: Susan Spongberg, Credit: Frank T. Heffelfinger III
9 Pieces

Minnesota Creates is curious about how creativity occurs, so Susan Spongberg asked an assortment of Minnesota artists how do you choreography a dance? Where do your novel’s characters come from? How do you decide what to paint?

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jan 14, 2014
Caption: Minnesota Jazz Legends: The Elders, Credit: Jim Davis
6 Pieces

Minnesota has many wonderful jazz musicians, still playing well into their 80's. Minnesota Jazz Legends: The Elders, features live and in studio performances and interviews, talking about their careers in the Twin Cities from early on to present.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 11, 2021
Caption: Jazz 88 FM, Credit: http://www.jazz88fm.com
15 Pieces

Minnesota Music Moment is a weekly feature of KBEM FM 88.5, each week highlighting a different Minnesota musician.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Feb 25, 2011
Caption: KBEM logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
376 Pieces

Each item in the series tells how a musicians is inspired, how s/he works, their goals and intents for their work; in general, how each gets motivation and follows through with a creative project.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Oct 09, 2015
Caption: Arne Fogel, Credit: John Whiting
65 Pieces

Minnesota Voices-Certain Standards Minnesota Vocalists perform new renditions of the Great American Songbook. Arne Fogel-Host

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Oct 31, 2012
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2 Pieces

In a world and time of differences, music has the power to bring us together, to unite us through a shared experience. Music knows no boundaries. It transcends that which keeps us apart. Join Jazz88 for an evening of discovery with Music Without Borders.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Sep 04, 2019
Caption: Bobb Fantauzzo performing with Lyz Jaakola, Credit: Andrea Canter
18 Pieces

Native flute player Bobb Fantauzzo illuminates the contributions made by jazz musicians with Native American heritage.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 19, 2016
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4 Pieces

Butch Thompson's Piano Bench Show looks at the piano stylings of the early performers of jazz.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jul 14, 2011
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0 Pieces

Perspectives relating to Minnesota culture, history and the arts contributed by Minneapolis high school students.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 04, 2010

Latest Pieces

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Dayquan writes about his struggles losing his mother to death at an early age.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 13, 2014
  • Length: 02:27
  • Purchases: 1
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Dayquan, a student at Harrison High School, tells about the experiences that hade him what he is. A good deal of pathos is included.

Bought by KSRQ and KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 13, 2014
  • Length: 01:35
  • Purchases: 2
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Daniel, a student at Harrison High School in Minneapolis writes about his regret when a gift to him broke.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 13, 2014
  • Length: 01:50
  • Purchases: 1
From: KBEM
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Patrice, a student at Harrison High School in Minneapolis, writes and reads a powerfully descriptive poem about a first love, told from her point o...

  • Added: Jan 13, 2014
  • Length: 05:40
Caption: Butch Thompson at the piano, Credit: Patrick O'Loughlin
Butch Thompson’s Jazz Originals Holiday Concert features an exciting repertoire of New Orleans music ranging from 1920s style classics to blues to ...

Bought by WDSE, WDCB, WNMU-FM, Northern Community Radio - KAXE & KBXE, Minnesota, WDSE and more


  • Added: Dec 23, 2013
  • Length: 58:03
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Willie Murphy at the piano, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
It starts at 8 PM and continues till goodness knows when as Willie and the Angel Headed Hipsters hold forth from the stage. Willie and the band pla...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 21, 2013
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Jennifer Grimm, Credit: Jeffrey Fortson
We talk to Jennifer about her musical background and the fun she has at here weekly Sunday show at Manitou Station in White Bear lake with her brot...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 16, 2013
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1

  • Added: Dec 16, 2013
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Jazz At MPS with Josh Jones and the Dynamics
Join Robert Hayles on Jazz At MPS with the Pip Jazz Youth All Stars!

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 02, 2013
  • Length: 01:03:06
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Monroe Crissing , Credit: Jamey Guy
We meet Mark and Lisa from Monroe Crossing and talk about the season and some of the group's songs.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Nov 28, 2013
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1