The ZaSu Pitts Memorial Orchestra was formed in San Francisco by Stephen Ashman, a bass-player. They released several LPs in the 1984-1987 time period and continue to be active. The Orchestra did not have any overt connection to ZaSu Pitts beyond the name. The band consisted of approximately 15 members (mostly male instrumentalists and female singer-dancers) who performed full band renditions of Motown, soul, R&B and other classic pop songs along with a few original compositions. A mid-1980's New Years Eve live show broadcast by KQED-TV (San Francisco) is sometimes shown on public TV in the United States.

In the mid-1980s, a rift developed between Ashman and the members of Zasu Pitts who left the band en masse. Departing members, including Morey Goldstein, Katie Guthorn, Keta Bill, Antoinette Olesen, Armen Boyd, Eddie Berman, Kathy Kennedy, Bruce Paine, Maurice Tani and Steve Stanley, formed Big Bang Beat a similarly themed band. link Ashman recruited new musicians and continued under the Zasu Pitts name.

The Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra won a Bammy Award for Best Independent Album of 1985 link

Keta Bill is married to long time San Francisco Chronicle rock critic Joel Selvin link

On June 23, 2008, the original Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra lineup reformed for the first time in nearly 23 years for a one off concert at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco to benefit original Zasu Pitts/Big Bang Beat saxophonist Morey Goldstein who had recently been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. link Booker T of Booker T & The MGs made a guest appearance at this show. Morey Goldstein passed away on July 5, 2008 link

External links

• Samples available
• Trouser Press entry