'Not' GenZStars
Who is Sombr’s dad Andy Boose? his bio: age, height, career timeline
Sombr’s dad, Andy Boose, an American event producer from New York, is married to Bennah, has two children: catch up with his full biography.
Who is Andy Boose?
Sombr’s dad, Andy Boose, whose real name is Robert Andrew Boose Jr., is an American event producer and entrepreneur known for organizing some of the world’s most high-profile luxury fundraising and charity events.
He began his career as a musician before transitioning into event management and founded AAB Productions, a company that produces galas, concerts, fashion shows, and philanthropic events internationally.
Andy is married to Bennah Serfaty, with whom he has been married for more than two decades, and together they have two children. Most people, regardless of his own achievements, know him as Sombr’s dad. Right, Sombr, the fast-rising Gen Z singer-songwriter, is Andy’s second child.
Well… we tell you everything else we found out about him. Before we get into all of that, though, take a quick look at his profile summary:
Profile Summary:
- Real Name: Robert Andrew Boose Jr.
- Date of Birth: 1971
- Age: 54 years old
- Place of Birth: United States
- Mother: Jeanne Springer
- Father: Robert Andrew Boose
- Nationality: American
- Management: Founder, AAB Productions, Inc.
Family Life
Sombr’s dad, Andy Boose was born in 1971 to his parents, Robert Andrew Boose and Jeanne Springer. His father worked as a partner in Davis Wright Tremaine, a New York law firm.
His paternal grandparents are Howard Russell Boose Jr. and Peggy Specht, and his maternal grandparents are Alfred Springer and Joan Ruth Beyer.
He has German, English, Swiss, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Dutch, French, Irish, and Swedish ancestry.
He grew up with exposure to the arts and music, which influenced his early career as a musician before moving into event production. He had a strong interest in music and performance, and did play in multiple bands and worked in theater design and lighting during high school.
After high school, he studied at Amherst College, a private liberal arts college in Massachusetts.
Wife
Andy Boose met Bennah Serfaty, Director of Publicity at the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), in December 1999. At the time, Andy was working in amfAR’s Special Events Department as a Temp, and Bennah had just joined as the Publicity Director.
They first crossed paths when Bennah walked into the office, and Andy was quite impressed by her. They became friends, before eventually starting dating. They engaged in March 2003 and got married on July 19, 2003.
At the time they got married in 2003, per The New York Times, Andy was 32 years old and his wife, Bennah Serfaty was 31 years old. As of 2025, they have been married for 22 years and known each other for 26 years. Bennah was born in 1972, and is currently 53 years old while Andy is currently 54 years old.
Children
Together, Andy and Bennah have two children:
- Amelie Boose: Born in October 2003, currently 22 years old.
- Shane Michael Boose (Stage Name: Sombr): Born on July 5, 2005, currently 20 years old, known professionally as a singer-songwriter with viral hits like Back to Friends and Undressed.
Height and Weight
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
- Weight: 72 kg (158 lbs)
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Ethnicity: German, English, Swiss, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Dutch, French, Irish, and Swedish ancestry
- Skin Tone: White
Stage Persona
Sombr’s father, Andy Boose is also known by his stage persona, René Risqué, the flamboyant and provocative frontman of the self-referential cabaret band, René Risqué and the Art Lovers.
His René Risqué persona is known for outrageous, humorous, and seductive performances. He performs electronic, disco, and soft rock classics while embodying an extravagant, larger-than-life character.
Career Timeline
Early Years & Music (1980s – 1990s)
- Andy Boose began as a musician during his childhood, participating in multiple bands and performing in local shows.
- During high school, he gained experience in theater design, lighting, and acting.
- Continued playing in college bands and pursued music while exploring stage performance skills.
- Studied at Amherst College, a private liberal arts college in Massachusetts.
Entry into amfAR & Special Events (Late 1990s – 2004)
- In December 1999, Andy joined amfAR initially as a temporary accounting worker but was redirected to the Special Events department.
- Became Director of Special Events at amfAR, producing high-profile galas and fundraising events globally.
- Worked closely with celebrities, philanthropists, and political figures in New York, Cannes, Hong Kong, Paris, Milan, and other locations.
René Risqué & Art Lovers Era (2000s)
- Developed his flamboyant stage persona, René Risqué, as the frontman of René Risqué and the Art Lovers.
- Known for provocative, self-referential cabaret rock performances, which was a mix of pop, disco, and soft rock classics.
- Performed internationally and received media attention for his bold and outrageous stage presence.
- Released albums including Tough Love and various singles, often incorporating humor and satire.
Founding AAB Productions & Luxury Event Production (2004 – Present)
- Sombr’s dad founded AAB Productions in 2004, specializing in global luxury events, charity galas, and VIP experiences.
- Oversees all aspects of event production, from conceptualization to execution.
- Events produced include fashion shows, film premieres, concerts, red carpets, auctions, and corporate galas.
- Regular clients include UNICEF, Elton John AIDS Foundation, amfAR, and other high-profile organizations.
- Expanded operations to Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, Venice, San Francisco, Mumbai, Cannes, Boston, Berlin, Philadelphia, Milan, Chicago, Dubai, Vail, Rome, Park City, Vienna, and Palm Springs.
- Renowned for attention to detail, creativity, and professionalism in event execution. He briefly joined GQ magazine as Director of Special Events, but decided it wasn’t the right fit.
Net Worth
Andy Boose’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, given his long-standing role as the founder of AAB Productions and his work with high-profile clients and luxury events, including UNICEF, Elton John AIDS Foundation, and amfAR, he is believed to have a strong financial standing, but the exact figure is unknown.
- @andyboosejr, with 1.8K+ followers
FAQ
How did Sombr’s dad start his career? He began as a musician, performing in various bands, acting in theater, and doing set design before transitioning into event production.
How did Sombr’s parents meet? They met in December 1999 at amfAR. Andy was working in the Special Events Department, and Bennah had just joined as the Publicity Director. Andy was immediately impressed by her presence, which eventually led to their relationship.
When did Sombr’s parents get married? They got married on July 19, 2003, in Piermont, New York.
What is Andy Boose’s stage persona? He is also known as René Risqué, and often performed in cabaret and rock/pop acts with flamboyant, provocative theatrics.
What is Sombr’s dad known for professionally? He is known for producing luxury galas, fashion shows, concerts, political events, and high-profile charity events worldwide.
How many children do Sombr’s parents Andy and Bennah have? Dhey have two children: Amelie Boose and Shane Michael Boose (stage name Sombr).
Has Andy Boose ever been featured in interviews or magazines? Yes, he has been featured in Observer, The New York Times, and other publications discussing both his event work and his stage persona René Risqué.
Where does Andy Boose’s company operate? AAB Productions operates internationally, with events in cities such as Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, Venice, Paris, Milan, Dubai, and more.
Did Sombr’s dad work with other major organizations? Yes, he has collaborated with UNICEF, Elton John AIDS Foundation, amfAR, and other elite clients.
What is Sombr’s dad’s educational background? He graduated from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, before pursuing his career in music and later event production.
Why did Sombr’s dad take an interest in AIDS fundraising? Andy Boose explained that his passion for AIDS fundraising was personal. His high school theatre teacher and mentor, Barry, died of AIDS just before Andy joined amfAR. He saw the job as a way to honor Barry and make a meaningful impact.
How much has Andy Boose helped raise for amfAR through fundraising? During his time as director of special events at amfAR, Andy expanded the charity’s galas significantly. For example, the Cannes gala grew from a small dinner of 100 people raising $100k thousand to events bringing in as much as $35 million.
Who was Andy Boose’s high school mentor and how did they influence him? Andy’s high school theatre teacher, Barry, was a major mentor in his life. Barry’s passing due to AIDS inspired Andy to pursue meaningful work in charity fundraising and shaped his dedication to making a real impact in the community.
