FARGO — You may think a working jazz musician moving from New York City to Fargo in 1972 would be a step or two in the wrong direction.

When John DiFiore got settled into the Red River Valley, the saxophonist realized just how right the move was.

“If you’re not a name in New York, you don’t play jazz,” he said last week. “It gave me a chance to play more jazz than in New York.”

For more than 50 years he not only played jazz regularly, but taught music around the region, making an indelible impact on young musicians and music fans alike.

The Kicks Band of Fargo Moorhead — in which the tenor saxophonist has been playing since the outfit started in 1975 — honors the musician with a toast concert Wednesday night at TAK Music Venue in Dilworth.

“I guess because I’m old,” DiFiore said when

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