Marimba Music

When you want to plan an event with an extra special touch of uniqueness, booking a marimbist is the thing to do. While the digital version of the instrument is vastly popular, the acoustic true-form version of the marimba is absolutely stunning to hear in person. Seeing this beautiful instrument alone provides some wow-factor to your event.
The marimba is a mellow, deep, rich sounding instrument. If you are unfamiliar with it, think about it like the xylophone's big sibling! When asked to describe the sound, most listeners will start describing peaceful waters.
The marimba is a versatile instrument, in that it can take center stage as a featured act or it can be used as background music while event attendees mingle. It's warm tones do not overtake conversation like many other instruments can.
I am a classically-trained musician who started out on piano, but moved to marimba when I discovered how interesting and unique it is! As I have discovered my voice on the instrument, I find myself combing my classical training with my love for jazz, Americana, and world music.

Jenny Klukken is a classically trained percussionist, creative composer, improviser, and an innovative voice for the modern marimba. She primarily performs her own compositions that showcase her virtuosity on the marimba, while appealing to wide ranges of listeners through singable melodies, addictive grooves, and playful improvisation. Jenny takes the marimba out of the modern- classical musical setting it usually dwells in and brings it to the wider world of jazz, world, and folk music.
In the Twin Cities where she lives, Jenny has developed a reputation as a stunning performer and creative collaborator with artists like Nachito Herrera, Robert Everest, The OK Factor, beatboxer Carnage the Executioner, and more. Her creative vision has received numerous grants from organizations like Minnesota Public Radio, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, MacPhail Center for Music, and the Jerome Foundation.
Jenny Klukken plays the marimba with the versatility of a guitarist or pianist; commanding a space for marimba in the jazz and world music ensemble.
As a composer, Jenny embraces genres from all over the world; her compositions take listeners on comfortingly familiar journeys to places like Spain or Latin America, but with the unexpected sound of the modern marimba. Jenny’s debut album, Color in Motion, was funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2019 and is set to
release on July 16, 2021.
Color In Motion is released by JK Records, in conjunction with a Jazzzdog Radio Promotions national radio campaign.

The marimba is very heavy, and requires about 10 feet x 5 feet of space (including space for me to stand and play). It can be amplified if desired, but can function beautifully as an acoustic instrument.