Amy Denio

Seattle-based composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist (proficient at accordion, saxophone, clarinet, bass, and guitar) Amy Denio has issued several albums as a solo artist, as well as a member of several other outfits. Born on June 9, 1961, Denio studied music at both Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass, and Colorado College during the early '80s, before forming her own label, Spoot Music, in 1986, and issuing a cassette-only debut, No Bones. Subsequently, Denio has performed and appeared on albums alongside countless artists, including the Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet, the Tone Dogs (which included Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron), (EC) Nudes, the Danubians, and Curlew, to name but a few. In addition to playing with others, Denio also continued to sporadically issue solo albums, including 1991's Birthing Chair Blues, 1999's Greatest Hits, and 2000's Tattoo (Pat Graney Dance Company, Soundtrack Series No. 1). Having performed throughout North America, as well as Europe, South America, Japan, and Bombay, Denio has also been commissioned to compose music for others, including Italian National Radio, David Dorfman Dance Company, Relache Ensemble, Berkeley Symphony, The New York Festival of Song, Die Knodel, and UMO Ensemble, among others. Denio has received numerous accolades for her cutting edge music, including being named one of "Rock's 10 Smartest, strongest women" by Elizabeth Vincentelli in Request Magazine.