Onda Azzurra (Blue Wave)

Hello friends!

Many are inspired by the resurgence of democratic momentum in after the November 2026 elections in the US. May the neo-fascist power wielded by the 47th POTUS and his minions mildew into nothingness, and the ongoing cruelty of patriarchy vaporize!

Congratulations Serbia, Brazil ~ and now the untied states of America. Hope is in the air, inspiring me to come up with this new ditty on ukulele, bass and voice.

ENJOY!

ONDA AZZURRA

Onda Azzurra is Italian for ‘blue wave’.

lyrics

Fall of fascism
Falling down into the ground
Feel the soil feed the earth feel the soil feel the earthworms

Fail ye frail betrayers
That trail to glory and riches is paved with hidden glitches
that’ll put a tear in your britches
that won’t be mended by the bitches

Onda azzura (blue wave)
mossa il mare (moves the ocean)
onda azzura (blue wave)
a limpiare (to clean)

Fall of fascism
Stale male grail
Hung up on some nails
Got a hole in your pail
You’re gonna have to learn some Braille

Time for us to break some bread
Whack-a-mole days ahead
Duck duck goose, you’re it!
Duck duck goose, you’re gone.

Photo of local community center by Amy Denio.

Tunes for Tots

UW Early Childhood commissioned a bunch of really cool NW artists to write songs (and suggested choreography!) for 0-5 year-olds. These songs will be part of a free curriculum available in Washington State, and I’m honored that three of my songs were accepted! University of Washington owns the rights to the music, so I can’t sell these lovely ditties ~ but they’re available to my Bandcamp subscribers!

To hear them, subscribe to my Bandcamp page ~ and get any new releases for free, from now on!

I chose this photo for the cover of Tunes for Tots. It was taken by brilliant artist Noel Franklin while we were housemates right when COVID kicked in. She drew the lovely heart too. 💓 And yes, that pink dress is made of latex.

Blind Youth Project 2026

What an honor to be teaching artist-in-residence for Jack Straw Production’s Blind Youth Audio Project 2026!

Every summer, this program engages students to create a variety of audio projects, from radio plays to public service announcements to original songs.

Bill Horist and I guided our group of 9 spectacular musicians to craft and record a new song from scratch. Everyone contributed great ideas and lots of energy! The group named themselves The True Ten, and our rap/soul/metal hit “Blood Don’t Fold” came together beautifully.

Deep thanks to Jack Straw Studios, Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, Agostinho Rodrigues Trust, ArtsWA, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, 4Culture, and individual contributors to make this program possible!

You’ll find the song half way down the page, in the third audio block.
https://www.jackstraw.org/youth_project/blind-youth-audio-project-2026/

Raven Chronicles Podcast

Amy Denio & Bill Horist enjoy a lively chat

Raven Chronicles produced this podcast featuring a lively conversation between guitarist Bill Horist and myself on our creative perambulations, inspirations and thoughts on improvisation, prompted by writer Natalie Pascale Boisseau.

8/2/26 Correo Aereo Trio @ Olympic Sculpture Park!

See you on Sunday in Seattle!

Looking forward to playing a beautiful collection of Pan-Latin and original music with the brilliant multi-instrumental geniuses in Correo Aereo at the Olympic Sculpture Park on Sunday, August 2 at 1:30pm!

Correo Aereo plays soulfully melodic, richly polyrhythmic pan-Latin and original music to decolonize your mind & celebrate life!

ABEL ROCHA: voice, harp, cuatro, jarana, guitar, etc.
MADELEINE SOSIN: voice, violin, jarana, bombo, maracas.
AMY DENIO: voice, clarinet, accordion.

45 now 47 (There’s No Way You’ll Get To Heaven)

Next Saturday, July 11 @ 3pm I’m playing toe-tapping songs for electric guitar and voice at the Broadview branch of the Seattle Public Library system! https://www.spl.org/hours-and-locations/broadview-branch

Today’s a good day… I just came up with the sequel to my country waltz sing-along hit “Dubya & His Pa”. Originally for accordion, I’ve revised the lyrics, and it sounds great on electric guitar! The sequel is called “45 or 47 (There’s No Way You’ll Get To Heaven). “

The original features the amazing Danny Barnes on banjo. https://amydenio.bandcamp.com/album/single-dubya-his-pa

The song depicts an imagined work-related presidential stress dream where the setting for a certain American president’s birthday party transforms into a raging sandstorm in the middle of the Arabian desert. The delicious cake is now coated with nasty grit, and everyone there is singing happy birthday out of tune…

Summer Music Lessons!

🎶 Thinking about playing music again?

You’ve come to the right place ~ and summer’s the perfect time to change the channel. Beginning or advanced, you’ll enjoy my fun, personalized lessons. No matter if you play by ear or with books, I can help your musicality grow.

Our lessons will focus on ear training, reading music, technique, understanding rhythm, music theory, memorization, composing and improvisation! I’ll coach you on breath control, posture and developing your own tone. We’ll sing tongue twisters in many languages and make up melodies together. All styles welcome. Bring me your favorite song, and I’ll teach you to play it!

Choose from any ~ or all ~ of these instruments:
🎤 Voice
🎷 Saxophone
🎹 Piano
🎸 Guitar
🪗 Accordion
🎼 Clarinet
🎸 Bass

Message me to book a trial lesson today. (Click on that link to start an email!)

I teach in person at the Seattle Drum School, or we can meet online, whenever you want. No need to fret about the cost of gas ~ or holding down a rigid schedule.

Let’s play.