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: Debbie Duncan, Credit: Ann Marsden
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Debbie Duncan on a song entitled "I've Gotta Be Me". Arne Fogel also gives the background of the song. ...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:29
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Connie Evingson & Tanner Taylor, Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Connie Evingson on a Cole Porter's song entitled "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". Arne Fogel also gi...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Nancy Harms, Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Nancy Harms on a Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner song entitled "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". Ar...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Arne Fogel, Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Arne Fogel on a Hoagy Carmichael – Johnny Mercer song entitled "Skylark". Arne Fogel also gives the bac...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Maud Hixson, Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Maud Hixson on a J. Fred Coots- Sam Lewis song entitled "For All We Know". Arne Fogel also gives the ba...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Debbie Duncan, Credit: Ann Marsden
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Debbie Duncan on a Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein song entitled "It Might As Well Be Spring". Ar...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:29
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Connie Evingson on a Louis Jordan song entitled "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby". Arne Fogel also g...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Nancy Harms , Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices Certain Standards features Nancy Harms on a Lerner and Loewe song entitled "Almost Like Being In Love". Arne Fogel also gives the ...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Maud Hixson, Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices certain Standards features Maud Hixson on a Johnny Mercer & Sadie Vimmerstedt song entitled "I Wanna Be Around". Arne Fogel also ...

  • Added: May 17, 2012
  • Length: 03:32
Caption: Arne Fogel, Credit: John Whiting
Minnesota Voices certain Standards features Arne Fogel on an Arthur Johnston – Johnny Burke song entitled "Pennies From Heaven". Arne Fogel also gi...

Bought by KSRQ


  • Added: May 17, 2012
  • Length: 03:33
  • Purchases: 1