Richard Pite

For the 100th Anniversary of Gene Krupa's birth in 2009, Pite staged the only UK concert celebrating the life and work of the artist who was one of the most important and flamboyant drummers in jazz history.

Scott’s Quintette racked up numerous big-selling discs and he later ended up selling his back catalogue to Warner Brothers who took the music and utilised it in many of their Looney Tunes cartoons.

A million selling artist who is now largely remembered for commissioning George Gershwin to write Rhapsody In Blue in 1924 and employing one of the first great names in jazz history – Bix Beiderbecke.

It specialises in jazz, blues, soul and funk music for all kinds of events and venues including festivals and theatres, corporate and private clients, weddings, parties, product and marketing launches and for TV, film and radio.

Party Jazz is responsible for launching and nurturing such bands as The Rio Trio, Royal Hen, Soul Shadows and The Hush Puppies and for supporting talent such as Eric Ranzoni, Reuben Richards, Liz Fletcher and Cousin Alice, .

As director of Music he has booked acts such as Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, Paul Jones, Georgie Fame, Hot Chocolate, Chucho Valdez, Mud Morganfield, Ray Gelato, Midge Ure, The Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Chris Barber, Liane Carroll, Buddy Whittington and The Foundations.

He has also been a dedicated supporter of new and emerging talent such as Philip Achille, Vimala Rowe, Orli Nyles, Heather Simmons and Lee Gold as well as helping Manchester's Jeremy Sassoon establish himself in London.

[citation needed] Pite frequently performs at Boisdale [12] Belgravia and Canary Wharf on drums and bass, as well as acting as bandleader and sideman in numerous jazz bands (mainly vintage and mainstream).