" This combination of melodic craft and economy that provide the hallmarks of Thorsen's style. These qualities serve him well on his latest album, "Moon Ray", as he injects his own flavor into classics by Thelonius Monk, Hoagy Carmichael, and others, with sterling musical support from drummer Duncan Moore, ex- San Diego pianist Randy Porter and the superb trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos.

George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune October 16th, 2005.

"Moon Ray is like a conversation with an old and dear friend with whom you can feel at ease and can talk about everything. It sounds familiar yet you can discover new aspects with each close listening. The playing is flawless and inspiring which makes this album perfect for listening to from beginning to end and over again. Highly recommended!

Jazz not Jazz, July 13th, 2005

"The record has an interesting polish, it lies to the left of lounge with a patina acheived from the hip jazz clubs of old. Decisive, purposeful renderings of jazz chestnuts without a whit of self-glorification. Thorsen gives his boys, Gilbert Castellanos, Randy Porter, and Duncan Moore, three of my favorites-room to move. It is a shaft of sunlight to the brain".

Dave Good, San Diego Reader, June 2005.

Evolution is classic jazz at it's purest. Performed by players with a grasp on both the essence of the music as well as the abilities of their instruments, the disc could legitmately be given as the correct answer to the question, "What is good jazz".

Lance Vargas, La Jolla Light

Thorsen's release "EVOLUTION", is a sterling outing for the bassist and runs down 10 cuts. Thorsen gets a rich melodic tone from his bass
that is offset beautifully by the elegant piano of Mike Wofford.

San Diego Union Tribune/Jazz Alley, May 2003

Their well balanced mainstream modern program includes several attractive Thorsen originals along with some standards and a few classic tracks from the likes of Billy Strayhorn and Thelonius Monk. Thorsen's propulsive walking bass line in Strayhorn's "Intimacy of the blues" complements his lovely reading of the classic
"Besame Mucho". But these are just a few examples of the nature and quality of the music on this successful album.

Cadence Magazie, February 2003

San Diego bassist Rob Thorsen brings a skilled group of homeys, notably the great pianist Mike Wofford for a session devoted to bop, ballads, and blues. Among the standouts were "Would You"; "Let's Fall in Love"; a couple of rare Strayhorn gems in Intimacy of the Blues and Drawing Room Blues; Monk's Evidence and some energetic Thorsen originals. Dependable and straight ahead is the order of the day. Azica Records, 2002 3 1/2 stars.

Jazz Scene Note, KMHD Radio, Portland, Oregon

Bassist Rob Thorsen and his associates shine with this dynamic session of classic jazz tinged with salsa, blues, and bop. The recording seems spontaneous yet is precise. There is never a dull moment. The array of instruments used, and the creative license employed by their owners, add a variety of melodic transitions, which are executed in a classy and unobtrusive manner.

Mary Montgomery, Hometown CDs, San Diego Reader, July 2004

Rob Thorsen Quartet "First Impression" CD Reviews

Many of the best sets of music have a difficult to define quality of taut looseness, at once relaxed and surging. This CD carries such a quality. First Impression delivers proud tight comfortable music worth listening to over and over.

Jim Merod, Jazz Now magazine, July 1997

Together the musicians have the tight but explaratory feel of the sixties Miles Davis quintet, a quality that serves them well... This set is definitely worth investing time and money in.

Cadence Magazine, July 1998

...A very nice Jazz album with spirited playing from all members of this well integrted group. With an exceptionaly good sound, clear resonant and acoustic, and a good lock-up with loose limbed drummer Brett Sanders, Thorsen sounds great in the rhythm section... This superior CD should do an excellent job of promoting this excellent group.

Double Bassist Magazine, Winter 1998

It's always a pleasure to run into first-class operation, especially one in our own backyard. In the case of this recording from the San Diego based RobThorsen Quartet, it's a double pleasure. Not only do bassist Thorsen and his cohorts offer a tasty collection of ten straight ahead performances... the Websters Last Word label has put together one of the most innovative and creative disc packages around.

T. Michael Crowell, San Diego Union-Tribune