歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI 鈥� Channing Lynn Griggs and her twin sister, Jillian, are on a road trip to Bemidji and beyond this week, and their vehicle is packed to the hilt with luggage and musical instruments. That left no room for Jillian鈥檚 upright bass.

The twins will perform a Virginia Sisters Reunion concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the Loft Event Center in downtown Bemidji, with Jillian playing a borrowed upright bass. Tickets are priced at $20 and are available at the Blue Oyster or by calling Marsh Muirhead at (218) 556-6313.

Muirhead has become a fan of Channing鈥檚 music during his annual trips to Key West, Fla., and wanted to introduce her to people in his hometown.

鈥淭he audience can expect to hear some extremely talented and classically trained musicians on a wide range of instruments,鈥� Muirhead said.

Channing and Jillian were born in Pensacola, Fla., but spent much of their childhood in Virginia, where their father was based as a Marine Corps pilot. They also have two older twin brothers.

The girls were both classically trained on a variety of musical instruments, and although they now live in different states (Channing in Florida and Jillian in Virginia), they still perform together when possible.

Channing, Key West鈥檚 Instrumentalist of the Year and Jazz Act of the Year in 2025, sings and plays clarinet, banjo and guitar. Jillian sings and plays Celtic flutes, classical flute and bass. Their show blends Appalachian 鈥渂lood harmonies,鈥� country jazz, classical duets, Renaissance tunes, original songs and music history folk tales.

Muirhead first heard Channing perform three years ago. Since that first encounter in Key West, he has sought out her gigs during his wintertime visits.

鈥淪he鈥檚 a solo performer in Key West, but also plays in different bands,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o sometimes she鈥檚 with a Hemingway Society jazz group, and some sunset nights she鈥檚 out on the pier with guys playing horns and classic rock. You don鈥檛 often see a really good jazz musician playing the streets and bars.鈥�

Muirhead shared a story about one night in Key West when he and his cousins were attending one of Channing鈥檚 gigs. She said she was going to take a 30-minute break, so Muirhead and his group decided to take a walk.

鈥淎nd then we ran into another band down the street and Channing had jumped into that band while she was on a break,鈥� he recalled.

Channing and Jillian plan to extend their visit to America鈥檚 northern tier with a trip to Yellowstone National Park following Saturday鈥檚 concert.