History
Thanks to the guys at ColorWarp.net, now ToneGlobe Music, for producing this event, year after year, working on the artist travel, and donating so much time to the promotions. Our WonderJam fans have always enjoyed a WJA representative in Amsterdam escorting our group throughout the week, and have been treated as patrons of the arts. We take great pride in having so many multi-year travelers. We know future changes for WonderJam are in the direction most requested by these serious fans, bringing more Texas music to Europe than ever before. We’d also like to thank all the musicians for joining us throughout these years. We’re all looking forward to these big changes and their positive impact for everyone involved in ToneGlobe’s productions.
Come rock out with us for our 7th anniversary: WonderJam in Amsterdam!
WJA 2008
The 6th Anniversary event was bigger and better than ever, both here in the states and overseas; we achieved a new high once again. It is always difficult to explain just how styling and intimate each year turns out to be. And this year was no different, and yet, new events hit a new high… and what a fine group of patron travelers… no problem at all. We did have some crazy happenings, as usual, and this year a little more unusual, but everyone made it home, I think… hope so. Some even stayed longer even though they encountered problems; overcame them and succeeded in having even more fun. The shows were more crowded than ever, even with the bigger venue, thanks Bourbon Street. Our 3 night run was overflowing the room into the streets, where we almost got busted for merching outside (no room in the house). What a raucous run of shows! But the private events stole the tour according to many travelers. Some expressed their greatest joys those evenings after years with WJA. The solo acoustic night with Carolyn was just plain charming and a requested event for future years. I saw some tears as everyone realized just how special these moments, and rare, in life really are. This is the intent of WJA and one of those underlying, rarely explainable, occasions. Treat yourself and join us next year… well worth the effort. And an engagement too! And what about those lucky KGSR winners that beamed and gleamed the whole week… what a pleasure to meet. The group is a worthy bunch of interesting people and I could go on and on about the fun and conversations in Amsterdam, but you know the motto… what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam. Except for the music, which must be heard…
Of course, Carolyn Wonderland (multi-category award winner, multi-instrumentalist, labeled singer/songwriter recording artist) was our featured artist for this 6th annual, WonderJam in Amsterdam. She is the inspiration for our event and it is named in her honor (and her birthday week too). Wonderland and her band, with her long-term musical partners: Cole El-Saleh (keyboards and bass) & Michael ‘Lefty’ Lefkowitz (drums), take over the stage ever year and light up the room while the crowd goes wild, which, as a matter of fact, happened again this year. Not only did Wonderland perform her music with her band, she charmed the travel group with an intimate night signing posters and lounging around, then, she took up an acoustic guitar and brought tears to the eye of a few in the room. What a special evening!
Then, Wonderland and her band joined up with…
D. Brown Fisher, another returning WJA artist who performed his originals with his band. Fisher is a multi-media artist and musical poet: with a heavy tone on the lyrics, a voice to lay them down, and a pounding strum on the guitar to prime the mind to receive. Performing with Fisher, again for the 4th year in a row, was Speedy Sparks (on bass) of the legendary Texas Tornadoes and the Sir Douglas Quintet, just to name a few. Together, these two teamed up with Wonderland’s band and backed Shandon Sahm, performing a set of his father’s (Doug Sahm) covers. What a blast and great idea, thanks Shandon for making that happen. Now, along with Fisher and Sparks was Michael Hale on drums and first-timer to WJA, Preston Dukes on lead guitar. These guys tore up the set with originals in a raw and hard rocking form. And to add a taste of Amsterdam, local rocker Liza Chase brought out her band, Chasin’ the Crackheads, for a set one night and took WJA into the metal-punk world of music. What a line-up for some rockin’ good times…
WJA 2007
WOW… there went the BIG 5th Annual WonderJam in Amsterdam (WJA 2007) and we had a phenomenal music line-up, great travel deals, and so much more for our blowout 5th Anniversary event. What a blur of fun! Many heads are still spinning; it was hard to call the week over. A fantastic year for WJA and we are always ready for more, and so there will be. For now though, a quick walk down memory lane, which is still hazy from our week of musically madness these many months later. I am redundant, year after year, I know, but what can I say, when there is a bad year of music, I will let you know, but once again, WJA was just outright rockin! And there is truly no way to convey these magical moments shared at WonderJam in Amsterdam. It was, and will be again, one of those ‘had to be there’ events in life. This is not a review or diary of occasions; this is just a whiff, a little tasting, barely scratching the surface, to experiences of lifetimes, repeated again and again in the stories and shows at WJA. Come on along soon, but for now, here is something to think about…
That is right! Another fantastic year (I always wonder how we top ourselves year after year) with our star performer and merry prankster herself, Carolyn Wonderland (multi-category award winner, multi-instrumentalist, labeled singer/songwriter recording artist), our featured artist every year tore up the stage for night after night of great music. She is the inspiration for our event and it is named in her honor; she never lets down her audience and that is why we dig her so much. Her musical background is extensive and very impressive (check out more info at her or WonderJam’s websites). This was the fifth year she has performed with WJA and she is breaking out all over Europe right now, thanks to the continued efforts of WJA and fans like you! Wonderland and her band, with her long-term musical partners: Scott Daniels (lead guitar, bass, and vocals) and Cole El-Saleh (keyboards and bass), rocked out again, as in so many years before and light up the room while the crowds went wild. Michael ‘Lefty’ Lefkowitz returned for another year on the drums, backing Wonderland and others. Among the many local Amsterdam guest musicians performing with her were the usual crew of friends – Jan the Lazyman and Jur (owner of Maloe Melo, WJA venue). Then one beautiful night, Doug Sahm’s son, Shannon Sahm, jumped onstage with Speedy Sparks (Doug Sahm’s bassist in his Texas Tornadoes and Sir Douglas Quintet) and Wonderland, along with her band, to perform musical homage to their friend and mentor. And as always, there was some incredible late night jamming and relentless smiling throughout the week, and far beyond.
Opening up the shows, as usual, was our hosting artist, D. Brown Fisher, returning for another WJA to perform his original songs with his band. This was the original core band that Fisher debuted in Amsterdam the first year and this is the first year this arrangement has reunited. Returning with his heavy tone on the lyrics, voice to lay them down, and that pounding strum and plucking on his acoustic guitar really does prime the mind to receive some rocking good grooves. Why, because performing with Fisher, again for the 3rd year, was the monster groove machine himself, Speedy Sparks (on bass) of the legendary Texas Tornadoes and the Sir Douglas Quintet, just to name a few. Together, these two hit a deep grove with the always in the pocket, Michael L. Hale (on drums). These three get around each other and the moment develops… as did so many great grooves with their Amsterdam show this year. Then, Scott Daniels jumps up onstage with Fisher, and the original band for WJA year one is completed. Daniels can do it all on that guitar of his and listening to him work with Fisher, Wonderland, and his own songs throughout the week, the crowd decided he was the surprise treasure for the year, discovered by so many new fans, from Europe and the states, at WJA.
And new to the WJA family for 2007: Leeann Atherton (Austin-based singer-songwriter-guitar-harmonica) was a delight for the audiences to hear. Take a little South Carolina charm, add a big Texas heart, and you have Leeann belting the blues and hitting those highs… vocally and on the harmonica. Our European friends and fans dug her stylings and stage presence. Joining Atherton to form the duet of their new project, Gypsy Heart, was the Russian-born, Texas-based gypsy vocalist himself: Zhenya Rock: lead guitarist and vocalist of the Red Elvises and ZeeGrass. He can play any strings thrown at him, and the drums too. These two performed together in a dazzling display of talent that got everyone dancing to their internationally influenced sound. Then, on a couple of nights, drummers Hale and Lefty took turns on the skins with Sparks on bass and musician friend Will Dunlap on guitar to make a rock n roll band for Atherton and Rock. What more do you want – great arrangements and music making their duet debut as Gypsy Heart and more, in Amsterdam, where we know they will be back for more.
Once again, this is just the smallest taste to the kindest delights of WJA. Every year our fans tell stories upon return of mind-altering experiences induced by the music, the moments, and the mood of WonderJam in Amsterdam. The travel group, our WJA fan patron base, has a whole history unto itself. Many travelers have made the voyage 2 and 3 times over these first five years, and WJA would like to thank all those supporting our cause. And, as always, as the WJA motto goes…
‘What happens in Amsterdam stays in Amsterdam… until we return the next year to find it again!’
WJA 2006
Once again, WJA went over the top with the performances and fun for 2006, making it another challenge to out-do ourselves for next year. We had great musicians bringing our messages of rhyme and reason, packaged in these bottled songs, to the shores of Amsterdam. WJA 2006 had a four-night run of music in the legendary club: Maloe Melo. And everyone celebrated all week long. Of course, Carolyn Wonderland (multi-category award winner, multi-instrumentalist, labeled singer/songwriter recording artist) blew the roof off for this 4th annual, WonderJam in Amsterdam 2006. Wonderland and her band, with her long-term musical partners: Scott Daniels (lead guitar, bass, and vocals), Cole El-Saleh (keyboards and bass), and Michael ‘Lefty’ Lefkowitz (drums) took over the stage every night. Wonderland performed her music and as always, had many local Amsterdam guest musicians play along, like Jan the Lazyman, Rikkie VanDoorn, Edgar on sax, Jur (the BIG MAN himself at Maloe Melo), and many more. The stage overflowed with talent as everyone performed together in these all-nighter jams, going until four in the morning on the weekends, which are just a taste of the good times we shared with our WonderJam brethren overseas. Shelley King was joined by Wonderland on guitar, El-Saleh on bass/keys, and the man himself – Perry Drake on drums. King came through on stage, show after show, and was loved by the local music fans. A must hear to believe performer, she received huge applause and recognition for her talent. And D. Brown Fisher, another returning WJA artist, performed his originals with a band this year, and tore it up with his musical compadre, the legendary bass player Speedy Sparks (Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornadoes), just to name a few. Fisher and Sparks were joined on stage this year by Lefty on drums and Daniels on lead guitar. This 4-piece ignited together, pushing Fisher’s songs to new heights. The musical line-up was tight, and represented Texas music very well. And to make it all the sweeter, Wonderland’s birthday is the same day as King and Perry’s wedding anniversary, so, you know, that night was unreal-starting with a private party for the VIP group, great sets throughout the evening, and ending the night exhausted, still partying at sunrise. Remember, what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam, so to find out more about these experiences and history-in-the-making events, you will have to join us and make your own stories to tell, or not to tell – that is the question!
It is very difficult to summarize or describe the amazing happenings, year after year, experienced by our fans and musicians. Life changing occurrences are a norm with this group, and everyone gets along great. The fans that support this cause are highly regarded and appreciated by our friends overseas-they know that the fans are responsible for the great music they are enjoying all weeklong. Many long-lasting friendships have started and get rekindled every year. And this year had a very special acoustic evening, the last night, when Fisher arranged an acoustic showcase for everyone to enjoy. Fans traveling in the group who are musicians had a chance to perform their music to the group and a few special guests, right alongside the billed artists. Wonderland and King charmed the audiences with this impromptu event (unfortunately, Fisher’s voice went out after the last night at Maloe Melo, so he did not perform). The week was a magical moment, and thanks again to everyone for joining the fun and promoting the cause. The travel patrons were true ambassadors of the arts, and the Amsterdam crowd had only praise for our group. We are already preparing for a big 5th anniversary blowout in November 2007, so get ready for so much more.
Thanks, again and again, to everyone who supported and continues to support our effort to bring great Texas music to the rest of the world, one party at a time!
WJA 2005
The 3rd annual WonderJam in Amsterdam 2005 was a huge success. What a week to remember, and that is part of the problem, too much to remember-especially when the whole thing blurs into one great time. Carolyn Wonderland, once again, proved worthy of this festivals naming in her honor. Not only did she perform outstandingly throughout the week, but also she generously hosted the event from the stage. The house was a rockin’ every night, and the fans expressed themselves all night long by dancing and howling their approval. All the members in her band are outrageously talented and would have to be to keep up with her. Along with Wonderland were returning WJA artists Cole El-Saleh on keyboards and bass and Scott Daniels on guitar, and new to the event, Eldridge Goins on drums. And yes, the local musicians were lined-up for an opportunity to jam with the band, and everyone grooved along famously. But when Austin talent, european touring, and WJA 2005 special guest Guy Forsyth joined Carolyn to jam, the place erupted. These two have performed many times together, but these nights had magic in them from the start. Every act stole the show, night after night, depending on the fans’ perspectives. What a great mix of styles and talents on one billing!
The events started out with D. Brown Fisher and Speedy Sparks performing Fisher’s originals with Michael Hale on drums. Debuting last WJA 2004 as a solo act, D. Brown thought it suiting to debut his new works with the legendary Sparks on bass (Texas Tornadoes and Sir Douglas Quintet) at WJA 2005. To the delight of the local audience, Fisher tore-up the music and kicked the shows into full gear, especially when Matt Hubbard and Wayne Sutton jumped up to make the band a 5-piece. A perfect way to start out the night, and with so many artists on the billing, the musicians were very helpful with the exchanges between acts, making some seamless transitions: such as, when Hubbard stayed on stage after Fisher and serenaded the audience solo while the other musicians rearranged for his set. And what a set, with the fans singing right along. Hubbard charmed the audience night after night with his deep crooning and sets them up for the rock star extraordinaire, Patrice Pike to come up next and rock the house out. With her outstanding band, including Wayne Sutton on guitar and Brad Houser on bass and sax, she was in her zone, having both regular drummer Goins along and past member Hale as well. The fans were privileged to have her performing this year. Pike already tours Europe and the states extensively, and her talent is recognized at both the grass-roots audience level and the bigwig industry level. She set the tone every night, and raised the bar for the following acts, which was leapt over every night by Wonderland and special guest Forsyth. The nights flowed into mornings as the local musicians and ours commingled on stage into fantastic arrangements of talent. At times, 2 saxes, 3 guitars, drum and percussion, squeeze-box, scratch board, 5 singers, and an audience grinning from ear to ear. And then, the whole stage rearranges and something completely different takes over the show. Big thanks to the local guys, Jur – who rocks out every year with Wonderland, Jan the Lazyman – who has joined us every year and was especially festive this year, and the sax man, Edgar – who is widely respected throughout Europe and a local hometown hero in Amsterdam (he also took D. Brown around the week following to show off Amsterdam’s talent), who brought the fans some local charm and brought the music to new heights. Respectful musicians allowing the music in the moment to carry us all away – what better way to express life through art!
We had an AVO reunion with Sparks taking the missing bass position. With Matt, Carolyn, Wayne and Michael Hale all returning this year and all founding members of Austin Volunteer Orchestra (AVO): which changes, arranges, and rearranges musicians from different bands, styles, and talents to showcase Austin music, we had a reunion in the making. And when they played, Fisher, the originator and producer of AVO, was in tears. This was a great event and expressed itself beyond the music. There is no way to account for all those individual moments of magic, because the whole week was wonderful. And as to the events of the crew traveling along and our musicians debauchery, once again, what happens in Amsterdam — stays in Amsterdam. That is why you must go on one of these excursions into the far beyond – this crowd knows how to take life by the horns and blow the world away. Highly recommended for anyone needing to experience something beyond the norm. This whole idea, the attitudes of everyone involved, is unique and worthy of the cause. Serious fun, that is the rhyme and reason of WonderJam in Amsterdam, year after year, show after show.
WJA 2004
The musical line-up was overflowing. With singer-songwriters, bands from the states, musician friends from Amsterdam, and the tireless fans that supported these artists, WonderJam in Amsterdam 2004 was a raging success. Four nights of rockin’ great shows, with a great turnout of local audience support, and the businesses in Amsterdam were great about promoting our event and treating our travelers like family. WonderJam is developing quite the reputation over there in A-dam, and our new and growing local fan base and local business support made our stay abroad a non-stop good time.
We started out the festivities with a birthday bash for Carolyn Wonderland at the infamous Bulldog, and went from there, to where we will not speak (because much of what happens at WonderJam stays in Amsterdam). That Tuesday being our first night in town, one might reckon that the artists would get their sleep for the big shows, and let the fans have their fun, but nooo… the artists must have napped more than we thought on the plane — which was another adventure altogether — because the whole crew went off on the town, and the party never stopped. Our group grew and grew as more and more fans from all over the states and Europe arrived for the weeklong event. And with only a few minor hitches and a few lost this and thats, (hey Matt Hubbard, just how did you lose your favorite black cowboy boots on the tram???), the trip knocked the rest of our socks off. Now, let’s get to some of that music!
WonderJam started out Wednesday and Thursday night with singer-songwriter showcase, includingCarolyn Wonderland, of course, Wayne Sutton, Matt Hubbard, Scott Daniels, and D. Brown Fisher. Then Carolyn Wonderland Trio took the stage with Scott Daniels on guitar and Cole El-Saleh on keyboards. They cut some tight grooves and did some great arrangements on Carolyn’s originals. The trio morphed into a full band as Michael L. Hale and Shiben Bhattacharya, from Austin Volunteer Orchestra (AVO), took over as the rhythm section. The whole show slowly morphed into an AVO jam with many musicians joining the party onstage. The next night, Guy Schwartz and the New Jack Hippies jammed the night out after Carolyn Wonderland Trio rocked out the house for the locals. Thursday night ended with huge applause and a great feel for the weekend big shows to come. And Friday was the night off for everyone to enjoy traveling in Amsterdam, and a chance to go hear the local favorites perform, Jan the Lazyman and his brother, Rickie VanDoorn. These guys are always great hometown hosts.
Saturday and Sunday nights, and WonderJam was ready for our biggest nights. The documentary people were set-up again and energy was all around the room. The suspense for the shows was tremendous, and all the artists were ready for the all nighter, full band blowouts. The room did not fail us either, the place was packed inside and out, both nights, and everyone was in great spirits. AVO blew the roof off Maloe Melo with a 11 musician superjam Saturday night. Jur, the owner of the venue, tried to top it the next weekend that he dubbed AVO – Amsterdam Volunteer Orchestra, which boasted a close 10. Guy Schwartz and the New Jack Hippies were the surprise of the show and everyone grooved on their talent and great arrangements and performances. Carolyn Wonderland not only jammed her special originals with her trio, but as one of the musical directors and founding members for AVO, Carolyn showed her range of talents to her European audience. AVO’s founding musical ensemble was some of Austin’s finest independent talent and the community projects they support gave our festival the opportunity to benefit a much greater good. AVO resonated a serious tone to the participation of our fans; and everyone’s involvement guaranteed not only the success of our artists (and friends,) but the contributions made on a daily basis by the larger community projects in which they are involved. AVO as the audience-driven idea that talent, on and off stage, taking the challenge to create original arrangements, with musicians from many genres, will treat us all to once-in-a-lifetime live musical experience was a definitive success in Amsterdam, and we graciously showed the European fans our way of life through music.
WJA 2003
Carolyn goes with the whole band. Scott Daniels: guitar. Cole El-Saleh: keyboards. Bob Perkins: bass. Michael “Lefty” Lefkowitz: drums. This is when ColorWarp.net took the situation in hand. The need was apparent, and Darren Fisher came through with the solution, thanks to the fans and musicians with the insight to see history in the making, dubbed ‘Carolyn Wonderland in Amsterdam Extravaganza.’ These solid patrons of the arts couldn’t resist the chance to help Carolyn Wonderland fulfill her birthday wish, to have her band and fans in Amsterdam to celebrate her birthday, for the whole week. This is the pro-active audience desired by sincere artists. ColorWarp.net sponsored the total cost of the band’s travel and accommodations (except Cole’s airfare, as he was already going with his lovely wife Heather.) The 20 fans that accompanied the band were ready. SIS Promotions also generously sponsored a 2 person fan package (thanks Kara and Heather) that was given away live by Carolyn on KGSR’s morning show “Kevin & Kevin.” Fans flew in from all over the states to see the band’s shows in Austin and Houston before we departed on a non-stop flight from Houston to Amsterdam. Carolyn was denied at check-in because her passport was too close to expiration. What uproar at the airport. Luckily and with much effort, Carolyn made her arrival the next day.
Awaiting us was a 4-star hotel with nice western enmities for a European accommodation, including a free buffet open for the late-nighters arriving back at 6:00 am till the early-risers up and out by 11:00am. The hotel was in the business district, next to the RAI station, a major hub for all forms of mass and private transit. And Amsterdam is a model in public transit that city planners across the globe emulate. The history is astoundingly exemplified in the architecture, art, music, and culture of this thriving metropolis. Old and new are creatively blended into practical functions without losing the aesthetics of life. A tourist friendly city, where English is spoken as the other language, made the trip a tremendous success for the fans and band.
The band played Saturday, November 8th and Monday, November 10th at the Maloe Melo in Amsterdam. Carolyn played solo on Sunday, November 9th for her birthday. What a great gift for us all. Special guest Guy Forsyth joined the band and jammed with Carolyn. Guy was touring Europe and made the effort to come to our shows and support his friends. The internationally notorious VanDoorn brothers, Rick and Jan the Lazyman of the Amsterdam-based band Lazy Sunday Dream hosted us, along with Jur (the owner of Maloe Melo.) All of who have helped Carolyn, and many Texas bands, for years overseas. And all three jammed with Carolyn, spicing up the mix and giving our fans those unforgettable musical moments. Knowing Bob Dylan was playing Heineken Hall on Monday and Tuesday, November 10th & 11th, ColorWarp provided tickets and we made the Dylan show on Tuesday as a surprise gift to Carolyn. She was honored for the invitation back stage to greet Dylan and his colleagues. A documentary film company, Marlo Blue came along to film the whole week’s events, but were knowingly unable to film at Dylan’s show. We are eagerly awaiting the final results. Everyone had adventures, some of which we only talk about in Amsterdam. The equipment brought by the band was minimal. Maloe Melo provided most of the gear, along with a friend, Chris W., who graciously drove in the equipment from out-of-town, donating a great deal of his effort and time.
Many of the fans on the trip were professional musicians in their own, and showed the need to expand this annual event to include others next year. Other than a snare drum head that broke the first night, and at the end, all went off without a hitch. And since the two people who missed our flight home return the next day, unharmed, the future was clear. Darren, Carolyn, and Jan the Lazyman realized there was no avoiding the fun; an annual event was inevitable.
WJA 2002
Carolyn Wonderland traveled with her friend Robbie to Amsterdam for the first annual birthday party in November 2002, at the Maloe Melo. She played a solo show the first night. Then a show accompanied by the “way fun rhythm section” from Lazy Sunday Dream; sweaty dancers packed the 4-hour-plus show that night. Carolyn was surprised how much fun it was and wanted to come back again with her band. Some people had flown over from the US, England and a few other points to join the celebration…
Maybe this could be a fun regular birthday gig?
Even more!
Here is a link to the Website history of WJA for the first 5 years (2003 – 2006). The website for WJA 2006 links up to the past years and more information. Check it out by visiting…
WonderJam 2006 Website and Past Years Archive Link
Thanks Y’all…
WonderJam in Amsterdam
YOUR SUPPORT IS INSTRUMENTAL
