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: Sue Orfield (l) and Joan Hutton (r), Credit: Terry Snider
Take That Back is a group that plays the compositions of Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield, and plays Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis, Saturday Decem...

  • Added: Nov 14, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Graydon Peterson at Crooner's, Credit: Andrea Canter
Graydon Peterson’s Thoughtcast has issued a new CD named Nimbus In motion. Jake Baldwin plays the trumpet, Ben Erlich is the drummer, Joe Strachan ...

  • Added: Nov 10, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Graydon Peterson at Crooner's, Credit: Andrea Canter
Graydon Peterson leads Thoughtcast into the Icehouse in Minneapolis at 8PM, Sunday November 20 to celebrate the group’s new CD. Jake Baldwin plays ...

  • Added: Nov 10, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Aaron Kerr, Credit: Elizabeth Thonen-Kerr
Aaron Kerr’s new opera captures the spirit of the times of the assassination of President Kennedy and resignation of President Nixon. Inspired by T...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Aaron Kerr, Credit: Elizabeth Thonen-Kerr
Aaron Kerr’s new opera captures the spirit of the times of the assassination of President Kennedy and resignation of President Nixon. Inspired by T...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: American Roots Revue banner, Credit: Mark Odegard
The American Roots Revue, staged November 12 at the Dakota in Minneapolis, comes from an idea of Larry Long. The show brings together Robert Robins...

  • Added: Nov 01, 2022
  • Length: 07:59
Caption: KBEM logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
For Curtis and Loretta, the Covid Pandemic was a time for reflection and composing new songs. Many of the songs are on the new CD, Lift The World. ...

  • Added: Oct 28, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Curtis and Loretta, Credit: Jennifer Bong
For Curtis and Loretta, the Covid Pandemic was a time for reflection and composing new songs. Many of the songs are on the new CD, Lift The World. ...

  • Added: Oct 28, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Piece image
For almost twenty-five years, Ticket to Brasil has been putting fresh spins on Brazilian music. The 6-piece plays at Crooners this Friday at 4PM, a...

  • Added: Oct 26, 2022
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Minneapolis-based vibes player is part of an exciting flamenco fusion project with Miguel Espinoza of Colorado. This is the latest of many musical ...

  • Added: Oct 20, 2022
  • Length: 08:00