Bassist Rob Thorsen began playing the baritone ukelele at the age of 7  and soon moved through a potpourri of instruments including classical guitar, flute, saxophones, tuba, electric bass and eventually the upright bass.

At the age of 18 he moved to San Francisco where he began performing with street bands and gigging with local blues bands. San Francisco's music scene was very inspiring and he regularly heard great jazz and blues artists including Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, John Lee Hooker, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson and a host of others. Soon after Rob landed an 8 month gig on the Royal Viking Star cruise ship and his career was off and running. After returning to San Francisco he performed at notable venues including The Great American Music Hall, Kimballs, Yoshi's, the Concord Jazz Festival and others.

After moving to San Diego in 1989 he has established himself as one of the area's most in demand bassists. He has worked with a host of artists including James Moody, Charles McPherson, Ritchie Cole, Laurindo Almeida, Louie Bellson, Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy, Marvin Hamlisch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many others. Rob also leads his own trio/quartet in addition to working regularly with the Holly Hofmann/ Mike Wofford Quartet, The CrossBorder Trio, trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, guitarist Jaime Valle, and vocalist Ruby Presnell.

He has recorded 3 CD's as a leader, Moon Ray (2005), Evolution (2001) and First Impression (1996) His latest release, MOON RAY, features pianist Randy Porter, trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, and drummer Duncan Moore. The music includes original compositions as well as songs by Billy Strayhorn, Hoagy Carmichael, Artie Shaw, Thelonius Monk and others. Any of these CD's can be purchased on this website or through CD Baby,  It is also available for digital downloading at www.rhapsody.com > and www.itunes.com.   For reviews on this CD and others click here.

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