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
Series image
12 Pieces

Long-form interviews and performances by Minnesota musicians

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 14, 2018
Series image
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: Tim Cheesebrow, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Tim has some great new songs, a great new CD, a fresh perspective, and he rolls it all together into a great show on Saturday October 4.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Sep 25, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Mac Santiago, Managing Director of Jazz Central Studios, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
We talk to Mac Santiago, managing director of Jazz Central about David Karr’s music, and about what it is like to play with David Karr. Karr's next...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Sep 19, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Ticket to Brasil, Credit: Jane Jany
The first concert was in 2003, and now it’s a major family, locally-produced International music event. We speak with event organizer Pavel Jany, t...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Sep 11, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Curtis and Loretta as the Haymarket Minstrels, Credit: Carr Hagerman
Curtis and Loretta transform themselves into the Haymarket Minstrels for Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, which they are playing Sept 13-14, 2014....

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Sep 04, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
It’s the 13th year of the Washington County Bluegrass Festival, held at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve near Stillwater, MN, 2-6pm on September 6, 2014....

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Aug 24, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Davina and the Vagabonds, Credit: Christie Williams
Davina and the Vagabonds, definite road warriors take the stage in their home base, Minneapolis on August 29, 2014. There'll be lots of sassy vocal...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Aug 23, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dan Newton, leader of Cae Accordion, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Cafe Accordion leader Dan Newton discusses the directions for Cafe Accordion. Established in 1995, variety is the key to the group's success.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Aug 16, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Jack Klatt, Credit: James Eastman
Jack Klatt talks about how he met Charlie Parr, and also reflects on his work with Charlie, as we play examples of Jack's work solo and with Charli...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Aug 06, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Scott Crosbie at the piano, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band is the Centerpiece of an Evening of Entertainment at Centennial Lakes in Edina, the program begins with n...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Aug 02, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Poor Benny, Credit: Lois Bjorlie
Debbie Cash, Lead Naturalist for the Harriet Alexander Nature Center and Recreation Program Supervisor for Roseville Parks and Recreation tells us ...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jul 26, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1