Virginia Mayhew (born May 14, 1959, San Francisco, California) is a New York-based saxophonist, composer and bandleader.
[1] Mayhew has worked with such artists as Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines, Cab Calloway, Frank Zappa, James Brown, Norman Simmons, Al Grey, Junior Mance, Joe Williams, Chico O'Farrill, Marlena Shaw, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Kenny Barron, Leon Parker, Ingrid Jensen, Claudio Roditi, Nnenna Freelon, and many others.
Her 2012 recording, Mary Lou Williams – The Next 100 Years, was selected by Down Beat as one of the Best New Releases of 2012 and by Rhapsody as one of the ten best new CDs of 2012.
[3] Mayhew has performed in many of New York City's major jazz venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Jazz Standard, the Blue Note, Sweet Basil, and Small's, and has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, as well as in the Caribbean and Bermuda.
Mayhew earned a black belt in Seido Karate, and is seen engaging in the sport on the cover of her fifth album, Sandan Shuffle.