KBEM-FM (Minneapolis, MN)

KBEM-FM, known as "Jazz88," is a public radio station located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, broadcasting on the frequency of 88.5 FM. This station is run by the Minneapolis public school system and has been collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) since 1989 to offer traffic updates for those traveling in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Each June, KBEM features live performances from the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Additionally, KBEM is part of the AMPERS network in Minnesota.

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English

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#1697579

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#656594

Arts and Entertainment/Music

#9623

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Hot New Local Singles: - Jazz88.FM

3 days ago | jazz88.fm | Paige Tighe |Sean McPherson

Summer jams don’t come in one variety. There are the romantic/erotic summer jams that prompt you to pull that special somebody a little closer, sweat be blessed. There are the summer songs that function like a musical ice cube, you drop them into the mix on the hottest day imaginable, and you feel like mother nature turned on the AC. And then there are the hazy jams that embrace the laconic spirit of the summer. You can still feel the heat as the song plays…but it doesn’t bother you.
Toussaint Morrison Likes Jazz Too - Jazz88.FM

5 days ago | jazz88.fm | Sean McPherson |Andrew Diemand

Toussaint Morrison is a journalist, an actor and a recording artist. This Friday, Toussaint is premiering five new music videos and a live set of all new music at the Green Room in Minneapolis. The event is in celebration of his forthcoming new album, Shapeshifter. Morrison took the time to visit with Sean from Jazz88 to discuss his love of jazz and share a couple of his personal favorites.
More Than Just the Headliners - Jazz88.FM

1 week ago | jazz88.fm | Paige Tighe |Sean McPherson |Peter Solomon

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival happens in multiple locations and performers range of students to legends. Sam Keenan spoke with musicians we want to highlight. These are great teasers to help you decide all the places you need to listen to jazz during the Twin Cities Jazz. Festival Marimbist Jenny Klukken and her quartet will perform a unique show for the Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Friday June 20th at 4:30PM on the PBS Stage.
Emmet Cohen Builds Community Wherever He Goes - Jazz88.FM

1 week ago | jazz88.fm | Sean McPherson |Peter Solomon |Paige Tighe

Pianist and composer Emmet Cohen will be back in the Twin Cities to play at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on Friday, June 20 at 8:30 with his trio and the Four Freshmen. Cohen took a break this week to catch up with Sean McPherson and talk about his latest studio release and what he still keeps on reaching for in the world of music.
The Evolution of L.A. Buckner and Big Homie - Jazz88.FM

2 weeks ago | jazz88.fm | Peter Solomon |Sean McPherson |Paige Tighe

Jazz88’s Peter Solomon sat down for a conversation with L.A. Buckner, who talks about why he celebrates his home turf of North Side Minneapolis, the influences that inform his music, and the evolution of his band Big Homie. L.A. Buckner and Big Homie are a headliner at this year’s Twin Cities Jazz Festival. You can catch the band Saturday, June 21st at 6 PM at the Jazz88 Main Stage at Mears Park in St. Paul. Pictured: L.A. Buckner with his 3-year-old daughter Onyx.
The Making of a New Orleans Clarinet Queen: Doreen Ketchens - Jazz88.FM

2 weeks ago | jazz88.fm | Peter Solomon |Sean McPherson

Doreen Ketchens reflects on growing up in New Orleans historic Treme neighborhood, her development as a jazz clarinetist, and playing music with her family on the streets of New Orleans and in concerts and festivals around the world. Ketchens plays the Twin Cities Jazz Festival Friday June 20th at 6 PM on the Jazz88 Main Stage in St. Paul. https://www.jazz88.fm/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Doreen-Ketchens-with-Music-7_mixdown.mp3TRANSCRIPTPETER SOLOMON: I’m Peter Solomon.
Twin Cities This Weekend: Selby Ave Brass Band & Thomasina Petrus - Jazz88.FM

2 weeks ago | jazz88.fm | Paige Tighe |Sean McPherson

The Combination of Thomasina Petrus singing in front of the Selby Avenue Brass Band has been very well received. Catch this pairing in a comfortable listening situation, Crooners Supper Club in Fridley, Friday evening June 13 from 8 till 9:30. The leader of the Selby Avenue Brass Band is Tom Wells. Tom and Thomasina met with Phil Nusbaum to talk about the show, and first, Tom talked about the quality of the ensemble playing on a piece called Selby Strut.
Ted Olsen Continues His Journey as a Composer and Bassist - Jazz88.FM

3 weeks ago | jazz88.fm | Sean McPherson |Peter Solomon

Bassist and composer Ted Olsen is back with a new disc titled Violette. The album comes out on June 6 on Shifting Paradigm and Olsen is celebrating the release at the Cedar Cultural Center on Wednesday, June 11. Eric Mayson will be opening that show with a set. Olsen was nice enough to stop by Jazz88’s studios to discuss the album. During the visit he did a portrait photo shoot with North High sophomore Devin Frelix.
Adrian Crutchfield Plays the Capri - Jazz88.FM

3 weeks ago | jazz88.fm | Paige Tighe |Sean McPherson

Adrian Crutchfield joined host Patty Peterson to talk about his upcoming concert at the Capri Theatre on June 3, his new CD called “Slick” and his deep connection to Prince, as the last saxophonist to ever work with him in the New Power Generation. That connection led him to become a music director at a camp for musically inclined kids call Purple Playground. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20250601232209-AdrianCrutchfieldconcertjune3andpurpleplayground.mp3More Posts for Show: The Playroom
Twin Cities This Week: Taiko Groove - Jazz88.FM

1 month ago | jazz88.fm | Paige Tighe |Sean McPherson |Andrew Diemand

Taiko Arts Midwest presents a concert and dance party called Taiko Groove, Saturday June 7 at the Cedar at 7pm. The event features not only the long-standing Taiko Arts Midwest group, but a rare US performance by Go-koo, visiting from Tokyo. Jennifer Weir is the executive director of Taiko Arts Midwest. When Jennifer talked to Phil Nusbaum, she told of the Taiko Arts Midwest performance of “Pounding Hooves,” a composition of local Taiko musician, Rick Shiomi.