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

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Two Heritage HS girls recite their poem in praise of traditional Islamic values regarding women.

Bought by KSRQ and WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Feb 18, 2014
  • Length: 03:18
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Rick Anderson, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Tells about Minnesota Bluegrass and samples three of the 30+ bands performing at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend, Seb 28-March 2, Crowne Plaza Minneap...

  • Added: Feb 18, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Leigh Kamman, Credit: Andrea Canter
Join Leigh for a delightful 5 minute conversation with jazz bassist, cellist and composer Oscar Pettiford..."a man from an imposing musical family...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 13, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Zacc Harris, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Zacc talks about the importance of regular, local performances to developing a group's music and to the community.

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 13, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Nachito Herrera at the piano, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Saint Paul, MN-based International artist Nachito Herrera tackles the solo piano repertoire of Cuban piano player and composer Ernesto Lecuona. The...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Feb 07, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Maryam Yusafsadeh, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
Robayat is a professional Persian band from Minneapolis-Saint Paul led by Maryam Yusafsadeh. The group's presentation includes selections from folk...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 25, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: MJ Mueller and Papa John Kolstad, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
The 32nd holding of the event makes its annual return to Minneapolis' west bank. It's an event for music making for musicians and non-musicians, ol...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 25, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Drew Jansen
Drew Jansen is a composer, musician, actor, singer, writer, and voice over talent. Some of his television credits are Let's Bowl, Factory Accident...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 21, 2014
  • Length: 03:30
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Leigh Kamman, Credit: Andrea Canter
Join Leigh Kamman from the studios of WOV Radio with a remote broadcast at The Palm Cafe in New York (a few doors down from the Apollo Theatre) for...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 21, 2014
  • Length: 05:09
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Luke Zuppan, Josh Parlanti and Allisa Jacobson of the Mississippi Hot Club, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
The Mississippi Hot Club: They're new recording and performing old gypsy jazz, and writing their own music too!

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Jan 20, 2014
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1