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
Series image
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: Daniel Chouinard , Credit:  Christopher Boudewyns
The group is called Lush Country because its greatest focus is the country music of the 1960s and 1970s, an era where “lush” is a good descriptor o...

  • Added: Sep 06, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Daniel Chouinard , Credit: Christopher Boudewyns
The group is called Lush Country because its greatest focus is the country music of the 1960s and 1970s, an era where “lush” is a good descriptor o...

  • Added: Sep 06, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Joan Hutton, Credit: Dee Soderstrom
The Joan Hutton Jazz Project plays Sat Sept 15 at the Black Dog.. Joan Hutton and David Milne will be playing woodwinds. Also, pianist laura Cavian...

  • Added: Sep 03, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Ben Cook-Feltz, Credit: Bob Suh
Ben Cook-Feltz is an experienced songwriter, singer and bandleader. He’s released five recording projects. As far as a formula for success, Ben doe...

  • Added: Sep 01, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Ben Cook-Feltz, Credit: Bob Suh
Ben Cook-Feltz holds his latest CD release party 6PM, Sunday Sept 23 at the Icehouse in Minneapolis. To Ben, connecting songs to life is important,...

  • Added: Sep 01, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Molly Maher is a singer, guitarist and bandleader in touch with multiple musical genres. In her singing, playing and composing, she tends to find t...

  • Added: Aug 29, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Molly Maher performs Thurs Sept 6 at the Aster Café in Minneapolis. Molly shares the night with Dave Zolo, and the music goes from 8 till 10. In he...

  • Added: Aug 29, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
The 2018 Selby Avenue Jazz Fest is coming this Saturday Sept 8 from 11AM till 8PM. It’s centered at the Selby Avenue intersection with Milton St in...

  • Added: Aug 26, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Alan Jesperson, Credit: Craig Evans
Now 20 years old, The Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival has grown to be one of the key musical events in our town. It is always on Labor Day, with...

  • Added: Aug 23, 2018
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Westwind Swing Band, Credit: Amy LeBeau
The West Wind Swing Band specializes in the big band music of the 1930s and 1940s, and especially with Artie Shaw arrangements. In a conversation ...

  • Added: Aug 22, 2018
  • Length: 08:00