This past spring, I approached the community-minded people at Okanagan Restoration Services if they would like to sponsor a blues jam at Don Cherry’s here in my hometown of Vernon, BC. This was just as the COVID restrictions were lifted. They said yes, and the rest is history. From the first show, there has been a huge outpouring of support for the blues from the wonderful staff at Don Cherry’s to the musicians of Vernon, and all the blues fans that come out to the Jams. “The blues is the roots; the rest is the fruits.” – Willy Dixon
Blues Jam
Thanks for all who came out for another Okanagan Restoration Services Blues Jam at Don Cherry’s last night! And CONGRATULATIONS to Russel Jackson featured here jamming with Paul, Mad Max, Kirk Hughes, and Charlie Fisher. Russel Jackson has been recently nominated for the BEST BASS PLAYER in CANADA award for the upcoming MAPLE BLUES AWARDS. Note: this is his 7th nomination for this prestigious national award. If there’s any justice, he should win!!!! 
https://www.mapleblues.ca/nominees.html
https://www.facebook.com/okanaganlivemusic/videos/419731297030850
Remembrance Day 2022
A few years ago I was performing at an old-age residence and one of the residents (a lovely lady from England) asked if I knew “White Cliffs of Dover.” I said, “Yes, I know it, but not well enough to play it.” But I promised her that I would learn it and play it next time I was there. So I went home and listened to the song for the first time really hearing what this song was about, etc. When I started playing it, the song just hit me straight in the heart as I realized how beautiful and incredible it really is and couldn’t even finish it without starting to cry especially given that its message is still relevant. Some years later, I am able to get through it without the tears, but this song still has a powerful effect on me and I’m glad to share it here with you on this Remembrance Day, and every day. Cheers Friends. “NEVER FORGET.”
Live this Friday!
Badlands Video
Hi Friends,
Here is an older video of mine. (One of my first!). I remember filming it in the Badlands of Alberta around Drumheller. It was a magick and memorable day.
Micheal Short and I just started driving around looking for places to shoot some scenes, and we, somehow, came across these locations as if there were forces pushing us there. It was classic. Kind of like, “Let’s follow this road, it looks interesting and then finding that abandoned homestead house that is featured here.”
We finished it all in a day, then Michael Short filmed a bit more story and scenes with Hailey Myrol at Hay Loft Acres near Sherwood Park where I was living at the time.
Hailey is a great singer and performer also known for her Mother/Dauther Duo, Myrol, with her mother, Joanne Myrol.
Live this Thursday at Bourbon Street
Hi Friends,
I will be performing at Bourbon Street in the Prestige Hotel in Vernon: 6-8
Marv Machura hosts the Blues Jam this Wednesday at Don Cherry’s
Okanagan Restoration Blues Jam: Wednesday, Aug 17
This Wednesday! The Okanagan Restoration Services Jam at Don Cherry’s! 6:30 – 9:30. Thanks Vernon Morningstar for this article of last week. #bluesjam #marvmachura #vernonmusic
Vernon’s Marv Machura is the host for the monthly Okanagan Restoration Blues Jam at Don Cherry’s Sports Grill in the Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre. (Facebook photo)
Vernon blues jams sweet on Cherry’s
Vernon sports grill Don Cherry’s hosts monthly Okanagan Restoration Blues Jams
- Morning Star Staff
- Aug. 1, 2022 11:00 a.m.
- Entertainment
- Local Entertainment
Don Cherry’s is going blue.
The sports grill pub/restaurant in the Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre is the new home for the blues as it hosts the Okanagan Restoration Blues Jam on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Vernon’s Marv Machura, the host of the jam and local singer-songwriter known for his Western Canadian roots music, says that he “was hungry for a regular blues jam in Vernon,” and so he approached the new owners and managers of the Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre with the idea.
“They agreed and along with key support from community-minded Okanagan Restoration Services, the blues jam was born in the spring of 2022,” said Machura. “We have had a monthly jam since April, and it continues to grow in popularity with local musicians and blues fans. The blues is the universal music for young, old, and everyone in between.”
Machura is impressed with the local talent.
“There are so many great players in our town: professional blues players like Les Copeland (David Honey-Boy Edwards) and Russel Jackson (BB King), and local favourites like Blind-Dog Guido, and Tim Reardon,” he said. “They have been joining the jam regularly since it started along with many other talented musicians from Vernon and beyond. The support has been amazing.”
The next Okanagan Blues Jam is set for Aug. 17 (Wednesday) starting at 6:30 in Don Cherry’s Sports Grill.
For more information contact Machura online (marvmachura.com) or at 250-307-1505.
Aug 17: Next Blues Jam!
