The late Don Piehl directs the North Dakota American Legion Band, which he did for 27 years. Piehl’s contributions to live music are honored in Valley City annually with the Don Piehl Memorial Jazz Fest. (Submitted photo) 

By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

The fifth annual Don Piehl Memorial Jazz Fest, created in his memory, is planned for Saturday, Aug. 16, starting at 3 p.m. at the VFW Club in Valley City.
The annual musical event is held in memory of the late Don Piehl, a local musician who directed the American Legion State Band for 27 years.
The VFW Club donates its facilities free of charge, and the Big Band music, jazz combos and vocalists perform from all around North Dakota at no charge. There is free admittance, and a free-will donation is taken, with proceeds going towards the North Dakota American Legion State Band. There will also be jam sessions by the musicians. This band represents North Dakota in state and national events. The money donated will buy music and help pay for these trips.
Lowell Peterson, long-time friend and organizer of the jazz fest, and  the other two organizers, Monte McDaniel and Gary Gylden, are hoping for many musicians to participate again this year.
“The public is welcome to attend and hear some good jazz. Anyone who wants to play at either the jam sessions or jazz fest (or both) is welcome to do so,” Peterson said.
Peterson said some people are afraid of jazz music, but he reasons, “This is music they've heard all their lives.”
He used this special musical talent to teach students in area schools the art of music as well, and enjoyed playing in many road bands over the years.
After graduating from VCSU, Piehl and his wife, Pat, moved to Forman where he taught band at Forman High School (later named Sargent Central High School) from 1957-66. They later moved to Wahpeton where he taught at the high school from 1966 until he retired in 1990, and moved back to Valley City.
While in Wahpeton, he started The Wahpeton Elks Club Band, The Southeast Jazz Band, played with The Jolly Corks, and was director of the North Dakota State Legion Band for 27 years.
Peterson, a former teacher, superintendent and musician, said he had known Piehl since about 1954 and accompanied him on many road trips, played in his band and recalls getting caught in a snowstorm coming home from a gig. Peterson says they had many good times together.  “He (Piehl) was always a gentleman.”
Piehl's widow, Pat, who has attended all of the past memorial jazz fests, said she appreciates what Don's friends are doing in his memory.

For full story, see Wednesday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.