Amy Denio is a Seattle-based multi-instrumental composer of soundtracks for modern dance, film and theater, as well as a songwriter and music improviser. Her inspirations include world music, and is mainly known as a vocalist, accordionist and saxophone-player. Among her current musical involvements are The Tiptons Sax Quartet (formerly The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet) and Die Resonanz Stanonczi, a radical folk group based in Salzburg, Austria. She has also collaborated repeatedly with the Pat Graney Dance Company, David Dorfman Dance Company, Victoria Marks, and with many other choreographers.
Her first recording was No Bones released as a cassette on her record label Spoot Music in 1986. Her first LP was with the Entropics. She founded Tiptons in 1987, and also started Tone Dogs with bassist Fred Chalenor. She has performed and recorded with (among others) Matt Cameron, KMFDM, Curlew, Fred Frith, Pointless Orchestra, Francisco López, Danny Barnes, Pale Nudes, Blowhole, the Danubians, The Science Group, Chris Cutler, Guy Klucevsek, Pauline Oliveros, Relâche Ensemble, Hoppy Kamiyama, Derek Bailey, Chuck D, Dennis Rea, Bill Rieflin, Quintetto alla busara, Kultur Shock and the Shaking Ray Levis.
Amy Denio attended Brookside School and Kingswood School Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1979. She became an autodidactic musician at age 12, quitting piano and starting guitar. She attended Colorado College, and also Hampshire College, graduating in Music Composition and Improvisation from Hampshire in 1984. She is self-taught on guitar, electric bass, drums, saxophone, clarinet, accordion, and various world instruments.
Playlist :
Die Knödel - Amy Denio / Joshua Kohl : Ambaraba Ci Ci Co Co (Non Lo So, Polo - Make Up - 1999)
The Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums : El Gran Orinador (Wabi Sabi - Spoot - 2020)
The (EC) Nudes : It Might Be Better (Vanishing Point - ReR Megacorp - 1994)
Pale Nudes: You Never Call Me Anymore (Wise To The Heat - RecRec Music -1996)
Pale Nudes: Ausland (Wise To The Heat - RecRec Music -1996)
Amy Denio & Orkestar Istina (Truth Orchestra) : Truth Is Up For Grabs (Truth Is Up For Grabs - Spoot - 2020 )
Amy Denio & Orkestar Istina (Truth Orchestra) : I Will Close My Eyes Now (Truth Is Up For Grabs - Spoot - 2020 )
Amy Denio : Taipei ( Corona Sonora - Spoot - 2020)
FoMoFlo : Stick In The Needle (Slug & Firearms - God Mountain - 1996)
FoMoFlo : Eternal Sanctuary (Slug & Firearms - God Mountain - 1996)
DKTRSH : Gamma (Live at the Player's Lounge, December 1, 2019 - Spoot - 2020)
The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet : Bus Horn Concerto (Saxhouse - Knitting Factory Works -1993)
Picture (c) Amy Denio