PIZZAZZ STRING QUARTET

Based in Cape Town

Pizzazz String Quartet is an ensemble made up from music students from the University of Cape Town College of Music. The quartet consists of Sarah-Jane Frith on first Violin, Nadine Roussopoulos on 2nd Violin, Azra Isacs on Viola, and argherite de Villiers on Cello

Sarah-Jane and Azra were members of the Rustenburg Girls High String Quartet from 2001-2004. The RGHS quartet played professionally at weddings and functions in addition to participating in competitions. In 2003, the RGHS quartet was runner up in the Stellenbosch National Ensemble Competition. After leaving school, Azra and Sarah-Jane decided to continue playing together, and thus Pizzazz was formed.

Since 2004, Pizzazz has performed at weddings at numerous venues around the Western Cape, including Zorgvliet, Langverwacht, Zevenwacht, The Aquarium, Rhodes memorial, etc. In addition to weddings, Pizzazz has played at birthday functions, including Trevor Manuel's 50th, as well as corporate functions, including Golden Arrow's corporate function in 2005, and the International Air Show in 2006.

Over the years, the group has built up a large repertoire ranging from Mozart and Pleyel to Scott Joplin and some more modern jazz numbers. They also play the standard wedding ceremony pieces including The Wedding Marches, Queen of Sheeba, Trumpet Voluntary/Tune, Pachabel's Canon, Jesu Joy etc.

All four members of Pizzazz are currently studying at the South African College of Music at UCT and have a love for chamber music. They strive to entertain their audiences and convey that love for music which they share, whether playing background music or concerts.