If you love Smooth Jazz, then I knowyou will enjoy Denis' notes on Rob Thorsen, and if you want to read more than you ever imagined about Smooth Jazz, don't forget to visit Denis Poole's Smooth JazzTherapy website.  Denis still loves San Diego and being from the UK loves the weather.

‘Lasting Impression’ is the latest CD from upright bass player Rob Thorsen. Given that he has been a key figure on the San Diego jazz scene since his arrival from San Francisco in 1989 it’s a title that is totally apt and now, under the nurturing wing of the excellent Pacific Coast Jazz Records, looks all set for even greater recognition. Thorsen has played with a literal ‘who’s who’ of jazz performers including Kenny Burrell, Nestor Torres and Kenny Rankin while as a recording artist he has previously released the albums ‘First Impression’, ‘Evolution’ and ‘Moon Ray’.

The eclectic nature of ‘Lasting Impression’ is entirely indicative of what Thorsen is all about and with four original compositions resting easily with his interpretations of tunes from writers as diverse as Charlie Parker, George Gershwin, Charles Chaplin and John Coltrane there is clearly something for everyone. Indeed his zesty take on ‘The Man I Love’ shimmers with the intricate trumpet of Gilbert Casellanos, his own composition ‘Cigarones’ sparsely evokes the sights and sounds of Costa Rica yet perhaps best of all is the introspective ‘Smile’ that finds Thorsen combining with pianist Geoffrey Keezer to magnificent effect.

Sometimes it’s nice to travel ‘straight ahead’ and Rob Thorsen’s ‘Lasting Impression’ is a delightful vehicle with which to do so.

For news on Rob Thorsen visit his website at http://www.robthorsen.com/and to find out about more great music coming from Pacific Coast Jazz visit www.pacificcoastjazz.com

By Sharyn & Victoria Crown, Downtown San Diego real estate brokers

This is part of a series of articles entitled, New Condos, Downtown San Diego Style