Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Virginia Mayhew: Sandan Shuffle

159

Virginia Mayhew: Sandan Shuffle

By

Sign in to view read count
Virginia Mayhew: Sandan Shuffle
Karate requires discipline and hard work. So does effective musicianship.

Most of the martial arts require fast, aggressive motions that are accompanied by slower, more controlled moves. Sometimes, the hand must stop at precisely the right place or someone will get hurt. This requires constant practice.

So does playing the saxophone. And Virginia Mayhew does that very well. She also has a third degree black belt in karate (sandan). Her study of the martial arts and her study of the saxophone go hand in hand—in both areas, she learns to control her mind and body in order to achieve a goal. She works with others in complete harmony and puts in many hours of practice in order to get it right. Her working partners are required to put as much effort into their study as she does in her own.

Mayhew and her quartet interpret standards and originals on Sandan Shuffle with a straight-ahead approach, releasing emotional fire along the way and having a good time, too. She swings. Guitarist Kenny Wessel, bassist Harvie S and drummer Victor Jones ensure that the motion surrounding her falls into compliance. The blues runs through their performance, evoking deep feelings throughout. Mayhew's muscular tenor tone portrays the kind of confidence that says, "Yeah. She pushes hard with a powerful stream that walks the walk and talks the talk.

Tenderly and "Monterey Blues reveal a deep passion, while "In Walked Bud and "Sandan Shuffle exhibit the cocky kind of strut that has always made straight-ahead jazz strong. Like her applications in the study of karate, Mayhew has poured both power and finesse into her musical program, finding a proper balance. And that earns a third degree black belt for this highly recommended album.

Track Listing

Sandan Shuffle; Let

Personnel

Virginia Mayhew
saxophone, tenor

Virginia Mayhew: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, guiro; Kenny Wessel: guitar; Harvie S: acoustic bass; Victor

Album information

Title: Sandan Shuffle | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Renma Recordings

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.