KBEM-Jazz88 Celebrates Homegrown Talent in Music Director Hire

Please join Jazz88 in welcoming Yonci Jameson! From North Minneapolis, Yonci Jameson (she/they) joins KBEM-Jazz88 as Music Director and host of the Afternoon Cruise, which airs Monday through Friday from 3-7pm.

Rooted in a rich cultural lineage, Yonci’s broadcasting career began as a child on KFAI’s Mostly Jazz, established in 1993 by her Great-Grandmother Patricia Walton, and sustained by Grandfather Bill Cottman.

Jameson also participated in the Jazz at MPS program at KBEM Jazz88 as a high school student; they voice tracked for regular broadcasts and announced during live recordings of school concerts, including her own jazz combo. This is a homegrown local hire the station is proud to celebrate.

A Southwest High School and Minneapolis College alum, Yonci’s career and creative practices have encompassed multiple endeavors, beginning in community development as a staff member of Northside Residents Redevelopment Council. Experience in program coordination and youth education was refined at KRSM 98.9FM. Along with public art curation & engagement with institutions including West Broadway Coalition, Public Functionary, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts and Walker Art Center.

As Music Director, Yonci will engage in rigorous study and relationship building, working to refresh KBEM’s music library, developing a strong network of both legacy and up-and-coming artists, audiences, music industry professionals and broader Twin Cities’ community in efforts to create saliency in Jazz88’s voice, and across the local broadcast media landscape.