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: Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Credit: Diego Ramallo
Jazz Central Studios is a nonprofit organization supporting the Twin Cities jazz community. Its Fundraiser is Saturday April 30, and artists are co...

  • Added: Apr 13, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Jim Falbo, Credit: Gilliane Mansfeldt
Jim Falbo is a talented classical-based guitarist. He has a command of many music styles makes him a wedding guitarist who is in demand.

  • Added: Apr 09, 2016
  • Length: 08:48
Caption: Jim Falbo, Credit: Gilliane Mansfeldt
Jim Falbo has a base in classical guitar, but he is a lover of many music styles. In advance of his Studio Z show in Saint Paul this Friday night, ...

  • Added: Apr 09, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Southside Aces, Credit: Jonathan Hankin
The Southside Aces is a Minneapolis-based New Orleans-style Jazz group playing uncompromised traditional Jazz. They play it the old way, but when a...

  • Added: Apr 07, 2016
  • Length: 09:10
Caption: Southside Aces, Credit: Jonathan Hankin
The Southside Aces is a New Orleans-style jazz band that has loads of fun playing for dancers and listeners. Founder and clarinetist Tony Balluff (...

  • Added: Apr 07, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Diane Jarvi, Credit: Nick Lethert
She’s an artist of many talents, and she keeps embracing more and more. Diane Jarvi is touched by Finnish, American and other world cultures, and s...

  • Added: Mar 28, 2016
  • Length: 09:19
Caption: The Dakota Combo, Credit: Andrea Canter
The Dakota Combo. It’s a jazz group made up of metro area high school players whose players are immersed in soaking up lessons from their mentors. ...

  • Added: Mar 27, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: Kip Peltoniemi, Credit: Mary Crimi
Kip Peltoniemi is the type of player who combines the music he has heard during his lifetime into a style and outlook that is personal yet inviting...

  • Added: Mar 22, 2016
  • Length: 10:29
Caption: Dr James Leary, Credit: Jeff Miller of University Communications at UW-Madison
The Celebration for the publishing of Dr James Leary’s Folksongs of Another America takes place Friday Night April 1 at Celtic Junction. It is a wo...

  • Added: Mar 19, 2016
  • Length: 05:00
Caption: jazz 88 logo, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
They do the old blues and a lot of new blues, too. Stephen Faison and the 3 O’Clock Gruv is a band of musical veterans hungry to make its mark with...

  • Added: Mar 14, 2016
  • Length: 05:50