The Piano Man plays Chester benefit

A world-renowned pianist is returning to Chester to play a benefit concert for his hometown Sunday, Oct. 22.

Patty DeVries, president of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, said she can remember when Phil Aaberg, a famous native son of Chester, returned home.

"I can still hear the freight train whistle on that particular day in July," DeVries said. "It was a sweltering day outside and inside Chester Public School's Auditorium. The doors were propped open and Chester native and iconic piano master Phil Aaberg was welcomed back home with a sold out crowd during the 2000 All Class Reunion. That train whistle can be heard on the 'Live from Montana" album that was recorded in the auditorium, earning Phil a Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album in 2002."

Aaberg, who has won numerous awards, has toured and recorded with familiar names such as Peter Gabriel, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Rogers and Vince Gill.

She said Aaberg has moved to Helena after a long stay back on the Hi-Line. He and his wife, Patty, and son, Jake, had moved back to Chester shortly after receiving the 2002 Grammy nomination.

"It is with open arms we welcome back the Aabergs for an evening of award-winning piano music," she said. "'Save the date' is Sunday, Oct 22, at 6 p.m. at the Chester Joplin Inverness Public School Auditorium, doors open at 5:30 p.m. A film and recording crew will be documenting this artful event for an upcoming documentary on Windham Hill Records.

"We, the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, are so excited to host one of our own treasures back home," she added. "Please join us for this wonderful evening."

Proceeds will help with the town's Christmas decorations, business sign information and the Chamber of Commerce.

DeVries noted that Aaberg grew up in Chester and, by the age of 15, he was engaged in private piano study in Spokane, Washington, under the tutelage of Margaret Saunders Ott, a Julliard-trained pianist and teacher at Whitworth College. Every two weeks, Aaberg rode the train to Spokane for his lesson.

"To say the least, trains have been a part of Phil's musical career," DeVries said.

She said his influential solo album "High Plains" was released in 1985 on Windham Hill Records, showcasing his eclectic musical background and becoming an immediate hit.

Aaberg and his family moved back to Chester to run their recording label, "Sweetgrass Music," before moving to Helena.

Aaberg has been awarded numerous honors throughout his career including Montana Governor's Award for Arts, Montana Arts Council Artists Innovative Award, an Honorary Doctorate in Music from MSU in 2013, the Montana Governor's Humanities Award and Montana Treasured Artist in 2016.

"We are very fortunate to observe Phil's patient and encouraging adjudication every spring as he works with Sweetgrass Hills Music Teachers Association and their piano festival students," DeVries added.

Tickets for Sunday's concert are $20 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at https://libertycountycc.com/events . Advance tickets will be held will-call at the auditorium. More information is available at the Chamber Office at 406-759-4848.