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
7 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)
424 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: KBEM Jazz 88 FM, Credit: http://www.jazz88fm.com
Former Count Basie drummer, Butch Miles, and the St. Croix Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalist Judi Donaghy.

Bought by KMSU


  • Added: May 02, 2010
  • Length: 58:31
  • Purchases: 1
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Recorded live at McNally Smith College of Music, on April 1st, Butch Thompson takes us on a fun and foolish romp with the pioneers of jazz music.

Bought by WRGY, Radio Catskill, WRST-FM Oshkosh, KMSU, and WTIP


  • Added: Apr 26, 2010
  • Length: 58:24
  • Purchases: 5
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Paul Palmer is the head of the International Baccalaureate Program for the Minneapolis Public School System.PaulaP

  • Added: Apr 23, 2010
  • Length: 16:09
Caption: Calvin Worthen, Credit: Robert Hayles
Calvin Worthen is a Digital Media teacher in the Minneapolis Public School System.

  • Added: Apr 22, 2010
  • Length: 16:18
Caption: Doug Rasmussen of the Acme Big Band
This concert features two Minnesota big bands, battling it out on stage:Acme Jazz Company, directed by Doug Rasmussen, vs Nova Jazz Orchestra, dir...

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


  • Added: Mar 23, 2010
  • Length: 57:58
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: The merry elf., Credit: Ross Ayoka
Live performance of Butch Thompson's holiday show.

Bought by KOJB 90.1 FM The eagle


  • Added: Mar 10, 2010
  • Length: 57:48
  • Purchases: 1
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Student advocates saggy pants because it's just fashion, nothing else.

Bought by KMOJ-FM and KMSU


  • Added: Feb 22, 2010
  • Length: 01:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Phil at work, Credit: Sejan Yun
Princess tells us of the accomplishments of Rosa Parks

Bought by WEZU


  • Added: Feb 11, 2010
  • Length: :59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Phil at work, Credit: Sejan Yun
Diamond Be tells about some of the high points of Duke Ellington's career.

Bought by WEZU


  • Added: Feb 11, 2010
  • Length: :59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Phil at work, Credit: Sejan Yun
Amani tells of the accomplishments of the Black Panther party.

  • Added: Feb 11, 2010
  • Length: :59