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

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

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In this episode of "Classic Jazz MN," Butch Thompson looks at some extraordinary events of the early 1960s. The main focus is a pair of concerts at...

Bought by KFAI Minneapolis, KMUW, KPIP-LP, WDSE, WDSE and more


  • Added: Nov 23, 2011
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 7
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In 1952, jazz cornetist Doc Evans returned to the Twin Cities after a five-year stay in Chicago — the only time he ever lived outside of Minnesota....

Bought by KFAI Minneapolis, WDSE, WDSE, KSRQ, and WTIP


  • Added: Nov 23, 2011
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 5
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Jazz cornetist Paul "Doc" Evans, born in Spring Valley, Minnesota in 1907, heard his first real jazz recordings (on 78 rpm discs) shortly after enr...

Bought by KFAI Minneapolis, WDSE, KSRQ, and WTIP


  • Added: Nov 23, 2011
  • Length: 58:00
  • Purchases: 4
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After going through foster care, this Minneapolis High School kids wonders about the good accomplished by foster care.

  • Added: Aug 24, 2011
  • Length: 01:00
Caption: Darshon Moore, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
Darshon Moore speaks from experience of having parents representing differing cultural backgrounds

  • Added: Aug 24, 2011
  • Length: 01:00
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Evan McHenry, a student at Susan B Anthony middle School in Minneapolis seriously compares pancakes and waffles. He prefers waffles because they ar...

  • Added: May 14, 2011
  • Length: 01:00
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Tenzin Wongmo, a student at Susan B Anthony middle School in Minneapolis thinks that there is too much talking behind peoples' backs. She proposes ...

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: May 14, 2011
  • Length: 01:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Danee Voss, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
Danee Voss, a student at Susan B Anthony middle School in Minneapolis talked to her mother about the function of music at different ages. The resul...

  • Added: May 14, 2011
  • Length: 01:00
Caption: Avinash Patel, Credit: Phil Nusbaum
Many young students are not able to get the sleep they need each night. Avinash Patel, a student at Susan B Anthony middle School in Minneapolis ha...

  • Added: May 14, 2011
  • Length: 01:00
From: KBEM
Series: What's Real
Caption: Sara Byrn, Credit: Philip Nusbaum
Sarah Byrn, student at Susan B Anthony Middle School in Minneapolis wonders how the expression "shut up" became known as impolite. She says there's...

  • Added: May 10, 2011
  • Length: 01:00