This week’s Hot New Local Single comes to us from Jenny Klukken, a Twin Cities – based percussionist who specializes in marimba. Klukken is a classically trained musician, but she performs in a wide variety of contexts including world music, folk music, and jazz. Marimba Standard, a new album slated for official release on Friday, March 27th, includes her interpretations of compositions by Dave Brubeck, Bob Dylan, Charlie Parker, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others.

The featured track is “Afro Blue,” composed by Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria, and famously recorded by Cal Tjader, John Coltrane and Abbey Lincoln. Klukken’s arrangement is an effective vehicle to show off the gorgeous resonance of her five-octave marimba, especially the instrument’s bass range. She’s supported by bassist Chris Bates and percussionist Dave Schmalenberger, with Julie Johnson featured on flute.

On top of being a musician, Klukken is also a visual artist, and she created the image used on the cover of her new recording,

An album release concert for Marimba Standard will be held at Art House North in St. Paul on Saturday night at 7:30pm.