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Marimbist Jenny Klukken at The Belvedere. Photos by Jill Fisher.

This past week I was lucky to get a chance to see marimbist Jenny Klukken in concert for the second time. She was a discovery of mine back in November 2023 when she was a guest performer at a concert by UMD’s Percussion Ensemble (reviewed in the Nov.30, 2023 Reader issue).

As it happened, I was in the Twin Cities on Thursday, May 7, and able to attend her gig at The Belvedere at Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley, Minn. It was a pleasant evening to be outside — under a tent — rather than inside at one of several dark and cavernous venues that showcase musicians there. The Belvedere was a “listening place” with notices on each table that no dancing or other distracting behaviors would be allowed!

In this concert, the magical tones of Klukken’s marimba playing were complemented by the sounds of three jazz musicians: Chris Olson on electric guitar, Chris Bates on standup bass and Dave Schmalenberger on drums. As she explained, although she was trained on classical marimba, her passion is developing ways to combine jazz and improvisational playing with the classics.

Having played piano and drums before being trained as a marimbaist paved the way to her mastering this percussion instrument.

Klukken played several of the numbers I heard during the 2023 performance at UMD including originals from her album Color in Motion: “Chapters,” “Marimbista” and “Café Marcel.” This latter composition was inspired by the time she spent studying the marimba in France.

Also reprised was an arrangement of Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” as well as the beautiful and iconic “La vie en rose” (Edith Piaf and Louiguy). Two other recognizable and lovely tunes were “Girl From Ipanema” and “Love Theme” from the movie Cinema Paradiso.   

Then there were others new to me such as “Rotation IV” and the bubbly “Tico Tico No Fuba.” The  melody of the latter just makes you smile. Another happy tune is “Small Steps.”

Klukken released her latest album Marimba Standard in March of this year but played just one number from it, “Stay This Way” (named by her daughter), at the very end of the concert.

This is music we don’t typically hear every day, which makes it extra special when we do. All I know is that I’ll be on the lookout for other opportunities to hear Klukken or other marimbists to indulge in the pure enjoyment of the instrument’s distinctive sounds.

Indecent Proposal Acoustic at Snively's Lounge.

Back in Duluth, the Curmudgeon, a visiting friend and I made our way to Snively’s Lounge on Friday, May 8, to hear Indecent Proposal Acoustic. We were intrigued by the idea of this rockin’ hot and loud band playing acoustic at this tiny venue. But we discovered it wasn’t all that much different, though certainly not as loud.

Two other things were different from the last time I saw them: Andrew Fabian was beating out rhythms on a cajon (box drum) and there was the addition of a female singer Sicilia “Selie” Amborn. (The C said he had seen her with IP during Homegrown and she is indeed a full-fledged member of the band.)

Selie certainly has the pipes and projection to match lead singer Josh Brown’s vocals, in contrast to her lounging posture. Indeed, she belted out (if not screaming) her parts to put across the intent of the lyrics, as in “I don’t want to fight anymore!”

We heard Josh covering the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song “Californication,” which he does so well, beside his original compositions. We didn’t stay for their entire set but will look for another chance to see this group, one of our favorites, in the near future.

They will be playing out at Black Bear Casino in Carlton at the end of the month and you can track all their upcoming gigs here.

Socktopus at Bent Paddle.

Next stop on this Friday evening was Bent Paddle Brewing Co. We were too late to see Between Howls (Ren and Nick Howls) play the first set but boy, did we ever see a show by St. Paul-based Socktopus. Picture five crazy guys sporting red knit caps and decked out in mis-matched plaid flannel shirts (all except one in plain cotton plaid).

They actually reminded me of sock monkeys with their jumping around antics while emitting hip hop stories about mundane midwestern topics. Some of the numbers we heard included “Traffic” which says it all; another was about coffee, “Iced Mocha Latte.” “Bender” described being drunk in northeast Minneapolis. Some of these lyrics were hilarious.

The Socktopus players are MC Mario “the big Marinara” Ficocello Stokes (vocals), Connor “Corndog” McCann (guitar, vocals), Mikey Kleis (vocals), Joe “Chili Weebz” Wieber (bass guitar, vocals) and DJ Kiel Jakubic (synthesizer, electronic tracking, sound).

For a band sans drummer, they sure knew how to produce a danceable beat. With four of the five singing (?—maybe crowing is a better adjective), they provided plenty of variety along with their zany commentary.

These members have been making noisy music together for four or five years now, have played First Avenue in Minneapolis and have a presence on YouTube, in case you want to check them out. As someone who hasn’t really taken to hip hop or rap, I was duly impressed and enjoyed it immensely. It was an entertaining gig to have happened upon. I will keep this group on my radar for future musical outings!

Mary Cutrufello at the Alhambra.

Later on Saturday evening, May 9, I took my out-of-town visitor over to the Alhambra Lounge to get a look at its amazing restoration, which now houses a bar and music venue, and to meet the friendly bartender Lance Fisher (my “little” brother). And happily enough we got to enjoy some tunes performed by Mary Cutrufello.

You may have read Paul Metsa’s interview with Mary in last week’s Reader that provided much of her interesting background, including having relocated to St. Paul from Austin, Texas. I had not listed her gig on my music schedule, so it was serendipitous to catch her. Talk about a gutsy singer, guitarist and natural born performer! She bantered engagingly about various subjects between songs like “No One To Lie To” and “Black Maria.”

I was sorry more folks didn’t get to hear her music. But perhaps folks will catch her playing around the Twin Cities in the months ahead.

IN MEMORANDUM: Condolences on the death of George Zissosto to his family, friends and fans far and wide. Zissos was the lead guitarist in the popular and long-running local rock-and-roll band, The Centerville All Stars. He died on Friday, May 8, just 17 days after his wife Leanne died.

UPCOMING: Among the very many music options available this coming week is the Duluth Dylan Fest 2026. There are back-to-back events scheduled to celebrate Bob Dylan’s birthday, which provide something for absolutely everyone, even if you aren’t a die-hard Dylan fan.

The action starts at 10:30 am this coming Sunday, May 17, with a celebration of Bob’s 85th birthday on the front lawn of his boyhood home in Hibbing and concludes eight days later with a birthday party in front of his family’s home here in Duluth (519 N. 3rd Ave. E.), which is where he spent the first four years of his life.

And, on that final Sunday, May 24, there’ll be a “Big 85th Birthday Bash” with Dylan music by Paul Metsa and Sonny Earl, conversation and video at the Alhambra.

During the week between, folks will get to hear oodles of Dylan music covered by several bands and musicians: Shelter From the Storm, Cowboy Angel Blue, Dan Israel and Friends, and Greg Tiburzi. Plus there will be two open jams, a lecture and the annual songwriter’s contest at Sacred Heart Music Center on Friday evening. (Full disclosure: I will be serving on the jury for that contest.) You can get all the details online at duluthdylanfest.org. See you there!