Viwe Mkizwana Ensemble
Gauteng
Viwe Mkizwana and two pals met at the MIAGI youth orchestra camp in early 2009 and decided to form the Footprint Trio. MIAGI's founder, Robert Brooks, promoted the trio's development and has been instrumental in its current success.In this sense, MIAGI (music is a great investment) has been a huge support to the Trio since its inception, marketing the trio and having the three perform at various functions/events that came through the organisation (MIAGI).
The Trio delivers a wide range of covers, Broadway, Latin, pop, jazz/African classics, and original works co-arranged by the group's dynamic members.
The combination of double bass, trumpet, and alto sax gives the Trio a distinct sound that mixes jazz and other musical styles. This trio's significant success originates from a dedication to an energetic, organic style of music development and performance.
Back in tertiary, the Footprint trio arranged some of this music while also receiving musical training in a number of disciplines ranging from jazz to mainstream music. They have degrees from Trinity Guildhall and the Royal School of London, as well as graduates from Tshwane University of Technology.
The trio's considerable travel with the MIAGI Orchestra, specifically in Africa, Asia, and Europe, has increased the Trio's understanding and enthusiasm for music - the craft that pushes this group's collective spiritual journey. Since its inception, the ensemble has given several public and private performances.
Members of this trio have had the honour of performing at the Moratele Park Jazz Festival, Standard Bank's Joy of Jazz Festival, UNISA Lunch hour, and in jazz venues throughout Johannesburg such as The Orbit home of Jazz, State theatre African and jazz nights, Winnies and soul restaurant, African Freedom Station, Inside out (Soweto), and The U-space (Pretoria). CMCM The Trio earned great press after being invited to perform at the SABC News Room on International Jazz Day.
The Footprint Trio has lofty goals for the future. Footprint trio continues to strive towards their objective of resurrecting an interest for music among today's young, with a recorded album in the works and many live concerts set for 2016.