Artist Name: Virginia Mayew Artist Biography: An assertive an melodic improviser on the alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, Virginia Mayhew (b. 5/14/59, Palo Alto, CA) is also a talented composer and arranger, a true force among women in jazz. Moving to San Francisco at age 20, Virginia played locally with Earl Hines, Cab Calloway, and Frank Zappa, learning from veteran musicians in a variety of contexts. In 1987, she relocated to New York, where she received a Zoot Sims Memorial Scholarship from the New School. Since then she has worked with Sahib Shibab, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Clark Terry, Kenny Barron and Rebecca Franks, with whom she co-led a quintet. She frequently leads her own groups, recording for Chiaroscuro and showcasing her mature voice as a player and composer. E-mail:   Web Site: