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
8 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)
436 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

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...

Bought by KSRQ


  • 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...

Bought by KSRQ


  • 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...

Bought by KSRQ


  • 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
Caption: Bill and Kate Isles, Credit: Jeff Isles
In the piece, Bill talks about songwriting, and about working with his young bandmates, Sarah & Derek Birkeland.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 24, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Patrick Harison at Home, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Mixing it up musically is the specialty of Patty and the Buttons. And it works. At the group’s weekly Swing Brunch held 11-2 at the Aster Café in M...

Bought by Northern Community Radio - KAXE & KBXE, Minnesota and KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 17, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Twin Cities Jazz Sampler CD, Credit: Tim Nyberg
This Saturday night, the jazz community will be toasting itself, as the Twin Cities Jazz Sampler CD has it’s release party. The CD contains work by...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 11, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dee Langley, Credit: Shelley Campbell
Dee Langley, well-known Twin Cities Accordionist has created her first vocal piece, “Good Yule.” It receives its world premiere during the Minneapo...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Dec 04, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Norbert Augustine and Jahbee Bennet, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
The Tropics Steeldrum band gets Minnesotans moving Saturday Dec 6, 2014. It’ll be at the Northtown Library in Blaine from 2-3pm. The band wants eve...

  • Added: Nov 27, 2014
  • Length: 05:00