Interview with Rob Thorsen
reprinted from jazz-not-jazz

Q: You've tried a few instruments until you ended with the acoustic bass as your favourite instrument. Please tell me why you've chosen this particular instrument

Rob Thorsen: I grew up playing a wide variety of instruments- starting at age 6 I played baritone ukulele, classical guitar, flute, saxes, tuba, electric bass and ultimately upright bass at age 21. I appreciated the role of bass, creating a feel and all the rhythmic and harmonic nuances that go with it. When I first picked up an upright I loved the way you felt the sound as much as heard it - the mechanics of the instrument amazed me.

Q: Who has influenced you musically and where do you see your musical niche in the jazz scene?

Rob Thorsen: As far as the traditional bassists go I'm a huge fan of Oscar Pettiford, he had a very individiual approach and was one of the most melodic soloists I've heard, even to this day. Also Israel Crosby who played with Ahmad Jamal was amazing. There is obviously no escaping the influence of Ray Brown, Paul Chambers and a host of others from the 1950's and 1960's. Modern players I like are Christian McBride, Scott Colley, Larry Grenadier, Mark Dresser and others.
Niche-wise I'm definitely in the acoustic jazz circle although I enjoy utilizing a lot of different styles, the latest CD includes a chinese folk song, an Artie Shaw song done as a latin 7/4, several funk type grooves and more. It's eclectic enough to keep it interesting to the listener but has a nice cohesiveness as well.

Q: Please tell me how you've met the musicians featured on Moon Ray. Which musical vision connects you?

Rob Thorsen: The players on Moon Ray are all people i've known for quite a long time and we have had plenty of time to develop a good repoire. Pianist Randy Porter has been living in Oregon the last 12 years so our playing opportunites are fewer but he's very comfortable to play with yet it's challenging as he constantly pushes the musical boundaries. Both Duncan Moore and Gilbert Castellanos live here in San Diego so we perform often together. What I look for in musicians is that they are confident and supportive of each other, otherwise the music cannot make an emotional statement. Everybody needs to respond to each other for it to really take off.

Q: A reviewer of your Moon Ray album complained that you hardly showcase your bass playing on this album ("I don't know if Rob Thorsen's intentions were to showcase everyone in the band except himself on his new CD, but he does just that." I -on the other hand- liked just that, that you act more as a band leader not putting your instrument and its sound in the foreground. Please tell me something about the motivation of recording Moon Ray and why you have recorded it just that way.

Rob Thorsen: My intention as a leader is to set the musical direction for the band through compositions, arrangements, choice of players , and decisions made while playing a particular piece. I didn't actually agree with that reviewers assessment - there are several bass feature's (Stardust, Bohemia After Dark, In Xinjiang Time) and numerous bass solos on the CD. I always look for a recording (mine or otherwise) to showcase individuals but to maintain a balance , I find that much more listenable than a recording that features one player constantly.

Q: Moon Ray features mostly cover versions and only one original composition. Why did you record mainly covers and would you like to record more of your own compositions in the future?

Rob Thorsen: In my 2 other CDs as a leader I included usually 2-3 original compositions. For Moon Ray I had quite few songs (covers) I had solid arrangements for so I really wanted to get those recorded. Usually the covers I choose aren't exactly standards, they tend to be slightly more on the obscure side unless your are a big jazz aficianado. Some of my favorite writers are Billy Strayhorn and Thelonius Monk so they usually get included on my recordings. I was really happy with my original "Mud Puppies" on this CD, it captured a very different style and sound that I think works well in the jazz idiom.

Q: How content are you with the reactions to Moon Ray so far?

Rob Thorsen: People are really enjoing it and I've gotten great feedback so far. I am very proud of this recording, it has very little of what I laughingly refer to as the "cringe factor".

Q: I suppose that Bass-man Records is your own label. Why did you launch your own imprint? And would it be an option for you to sign with a major or larger independent label?

Rob Thorsen: My last recording, Evolution, was on the Azica Record Label. I was very glad to be on their roster but it cut down an already slim profit margin so I felt this was a good opportunity to release this recording independently. Also with organizations such as CD Baby the independent artist can get a lot of marketing help and information. Digital downloading (legal) seems to be the future of music so there is less importance on distribution and traditional record stores. I plan on spending the next year working on various ways to promote this CD, I want to explore all the possibilities as I feel this recording is a very good product and strong musical statement.

Q: What's your opinion of the jazz music scene today? Is it still as vivid as it was or do you think you've heard it all before and there are no real innovations and developments?

Rob Thorsen: I think the jazz scene is doing well right now. As far a clubs and audience support everything took a big hit after 9/11 but it's been a steady recovery all the way around. As I look back historically there are certain periods when the music seemed to really flourish but I wasn't there so it's hard to tell. The big band era, the late 50's Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Ahmad Jamal era seems to have reached a very wide audience and enjoyed great listener support.
There are definitely players and groups continuing to push the music forward, groups I enjoy are the Brad Mehldau Trio, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield and others. The thing I like most about jazz is it challenges the listener to really get inside the music and make their own assessment. A lot of other music (pop/ rock etc) doesn't leave as much to the imagination so it's not as involved of a listening process. Overall I'm very proud to be a part of the jazz music and glad that I can make a career of it. I have a huge appreciation and respect for all the great musicians that have come before me and I alway try to treat the music with the respect that it deserves- Jazz truly is one of America's great art forms.

For more info visit, cdbaby.com and read my review of Moon Ray.