Biography
"Our steps are strong, our steps are brave, our voices heard and not easily forgotten. Silver moonbeams lead our way."
Background
Ziza Muftic was born in Zagreb, Croatia. Her music lessons begun at the age of 7 and her first instrument was violin. She subsequently continued her studies majoring in classical singing and piano. Ziza holds a degree of Masters in Music from University of Witwatersrand.
Education
Ziza’s Secondary school education led her to singing and studying voice. Ziza attended a Second gymnasium High School as well as one of the well known and respected Music schools in Zagreb, Vatroslav Lisinski. There she had the privilege to study under one of Croatia’s divas, Lidija Horvat. It was then that she won a third place at a singing competition, featuring some young singers from all over Croatia, held in Osijek, near Zagreb. Ziza was one of the youngest contestants.
Ziza and her family migrated to South Africa in 1992. She began her music studies at the University of Witwatersrand in February 1992 and completed her BMUS (Bachelor of music) degree in 1996.
Her main subjects at Wits University included Classical Vocal studies (under a South African diva Dr.Emma Renzi), Piano (Waldo Malan) History of music (Dr.Mary Rorich), RTM or ‘teaching methods’ (Mr.Malcom Nay and Pauline Nossel) and Harmony and counterpoint (Mr Carl van Wyk, John Reid Coulter). Ziza was a dedicated student and had participated in annual Musical productions as well as concerts at and outside Wits. In 1994 she was given an ‘Award to the Wits music student that has shown the most dedication/development during the production’. Ziza also received a Certificate of first class for GM (‘General musicianship’).
Ziza had completed her Masters in Music (in research and performance) at Wits in 2013. Her vocal tuition was supervised by Eugenie Chopin and her research project supervised by Dr Susan Harrop- Allin (It was titled, ‘Hopa!: Exploring Balkanology in South African Popular music culture’). Ziza studied Jazz piano and composition under Theodora Drummond.
Performing
Today Ziza manages her time between teaching, composing music, as well as performing at various public and private events.
Ziza has performed with some of South Africa’s top Jazz musicians like Sydney Mnisi, Reza Khota, Marcus Wyatt and McCoy Mrubata.
She was asked to sing a piece for voice and a chamber orchestra, at the SAMRO 2018 composer's finals, where the composition won in category.
Recordings
Ziza has released her debut album in March 2015 titled ‘Ziza Muftic Quartet: Silver moonbeams’. The album was produced by a composer, a South African jazz trumpet player, Marcus Wyatt.
'Ziza: Shining hour', 2019, is her second independent album release, produced by Theodora and Kevin Drummond. Both albums were recorded and engineered by a multiple award winning, Peter Auret (@Sumo Sound studio, Johannesburg). Auret also played on both albums.
‘Ziza Muftic Live at the Standard bank Jazz festival Makhanda 2020’ is her only live album release to date.
‘Ziza Muftic: Singing in tongues’ , 2024, is Ziza’s third studio album. It explores voice as an instrument through different languages, band formations, including a vocal trio. The album is produced by Ziza and co produced, recorded and engineered by Peter Auret.
Some of Ziza’s collaborative projects include:
‘Lounge/Jazz’ music experiment with a producer/engineer Garth van der Merwe called ‘Lo-Hi-Fi’. One of their original compositions had been released on a local CD compilation Cape Town 2am published by ‘Sheer music’.
‘Musique des Anges’ is Ziza’s collaboration with one of South Africa’s Dance music pioneers, Gary van Riet. This project introduces Classical singing with contemporary musical harmonies. Their first release can be heard on a compilation CD, ‘Liquid lounge’ (‘Next music’, 2006) featuring some international names like ‘Moby’.
Ziza’s voice can also be heard on Mnet’s TV series ‘Snitch’, ‘Innocent times’ and an independent film by Damir Radonic, ‘Takatakatak’.
In January 2023 Ziza was involved in a creative workshop with William Kentridge and his team at The centre for the less good idea in Johannesburg.
Awards
Mzantsi Jazz awards 2020 ‘Best female Jazz artist’
Programs/Certificates
In 2018 Ziza participated in Berklee’s illustrious Summer Performance Program in Valencia, Spain.
