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

Piece image
Minnesota blues legend Cornbread Harris is featured on this edition of Live From Studio 1. The 91 year-old singer and pianist talks about skipping ...

  • Added: Feb 25, 2019
  • Length: 41:52
Caption: Mac Jazz, Credit: Joan Griffith
Joan Griffith directs Mac Jazz, the big band of Macalester College. The group performs 7-8 PM this Friday night March 1 at Jazz Central in Minneapo...

  • Added: Feb 23, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Swing Beat Big Band, Credit: John Lingle
The Swing Beat Big Band formed in 1998, and has been playing regularly for listeners and dancers ever since. The leader is John Wilkes. When John m...

  • Added: Feb 20, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Swing Beat Big Band, Credit: John Lingle
Thursday night is Swing Dance Night at the Wabasha Street Caves in Saint Paul, and this Thursday at 7pm, the Swing Beat Big Band plays for listener...

  • Added: Feb 20, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Davu Seru, Credit: Andrea Canter
Davu Seru is a north Minneapolis composer who has been influenced by experiences in Chicago and Ghana, and it all comes out in his music. Davu lead...

  • Added: Feb 13, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Brass Lassie, Credit: Trevor Rodriguez
Brass Lassie. The name tells you it is Celtic with horns added and predominantly women. Brass Lassie plays at the Ice House in Minneapolis Sunday F...

  • Added: Feb 12, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: So Minnesota's Real Big Band, Credit: Kim Cosens
Southern Minnesota’s Real Jazz Band has a unique twin mission: Playing great jazz and serving as a clinician band for high school jazz musicians.. ...

  • Added: Feb 06, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: So Minnesota's Real Big Band, Credit: Kim Cosens
The Minnesota Music Educators Association Meeting is next week, so of course there will be some great music. Southern Minnesota’s Real Jazz Band pl...

  • Added: Feb 06, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Julia Hobart has a new spin on old murder ballads. She’s recomposed several and has her CD release performance with her 7-piece band 7:30PM Sunday ...

  • Added: Feb 04, 2019
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Zeitgeist, Credit: Zoe Prinds-Flash
Zeitgeist, the St Paul new music group presents Yohannes Tona’s music and poetry reflecting on Yonannes’ journey from Ethiopia to the United States...

  • Added: Feb 01, 2019
  • Length: 08:00