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: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
A.J. Srubas leads a group of great local fiddlers in a tribute to bluegrass fiddler, Kenny Baker. Baker served for many years as the fiddler in the...

  • Added: Mar 10, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Twin Cities Flamenco Collective, Credit: Acer C. Wang
The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective continues at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Sunday March 17. It features its cast of local players as well as a singe...

  • Added: Mar 09, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: The Dregs, Credit: Amore Photography
The Dregs occupy a singular musical niche: Band members backgrounds are varied, but together, the group sings and plays twisted versions of songs, ...

  • Added: Mar 08, 2024
  • Length: 08:01
Caption: The Dregs, Credit: Amore Photography
The Dregs occupy a singular musical niche: Band members backgrounds are varied, but together, the group sings and plays twisted versions of songs, ...

  • Added: Mar 08, 2024
  • Length: 08:01
Caption: jazz88 logo 2022, Credit: Tim Nyberg (Octane Creative)
Power Up! Is the name of the Women’s Day Music Fest Friday night March 8 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. Billed as a celebration of women an...

  • Added: Feb 24, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Sarah Larsson by Drew Arrieta, Credit: Drew Arrieta
Red Thread’s songs could be considered what happens when you combine traditional songs, new compositions and modern technology. The new CD is calle...

  • Added: Feb 23, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: GiftedHandz, Credit: Cynthia Abalo
GiftedHandz is a Minneapolis group of young people who have come up playing multiples styles in church settings. When Joe Mason, a GiftedHandz foun...

  • Added: Feb 20, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: GiftedHandz, Credit: Cynthia Abalo
GiftedHandz is a Minneapolis group of young people who have come up playing multiples styles in church settings. The group performs Friday night at...

  • Added: Feb 20, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Timothy De Prey, Credit: Paul Nixdorf
MacPhail Center for music has a program called the Spotlight Program, which encourages its teachers to create musical programs. That’s what stimula...

  • Added: Feb 17, 2024
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Timothy De Prey, Credit: Paul Nixdorf
MacPhail Center for music has a program called the Spotlight Program, which encourages its teachers to create musical programs. That’s what stimula...

  • Added: Feb 17, 2024
  • Length: 08:00