Born in Killeen, Texas, Bob Boss was raised in California and picked up electric guitar at age 11 and began performing at school dances and parties in junior high. He became increasingly interested in improvisation and studied with Jerry Hahn in 1971. Boss continued to play in clubs and concerts while a student at CSU Chico and completed a Masters in Humanities, choosing music as a full-time career.

Bob Boss moved to Berkeley, California in 1977 and worked throughout the Bay Area for several years, performing with Vince Wallace, Baomi, Smiley Winters and many others. He traveled to New Mexico to work with Sherman Rubin backing Eddie Harris, Richie Cole and Red Rodney. He continued his studies with Bobby Addison and recorded three albums as a sideman. He could also be found working clubs, casuals, concerts, musical theater, and more.

Since moving to Oceanside in 1983, Bob Boss has worked all over San Diego with many great musicians, including “Doc” James Williams, Ray Crawford, Joe Marillo, Mike Wofford, A.J. Croce and Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham. He also presented workshops and clinic/concerts at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts with Marshall Hawkins and Seahawk Music featuring guest artists such as Daniel Jackson and Harry Pickens. He’s performed with Nick Brignola, Rickey Woodard and Jeff Clayton. He has served on several music faculties including UCSD and Palomar College. Bob is a regular contributor to Jazz Link Magazine and has recorded with A.J. Croce for Private Music and with Seahawk for Park Hill.

Bob Boss toured extensively in the United States performing at many festivals (including Wolf Trap, Pine Knob, Idyllwild, Winter Park, Ravinia and Peter Britt), clubs and schools. He has also traveled to Europe, Canada and Mexico to play concerts large and small. He appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS This Morning, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, KUSI, NBC and on national TV in France, Holland and Belgium. He currently freelances with several bands in San Diego including Seahawk, Dave Pike, Marguerita Page and Holly Hofmann. He can be heard performing in San Diego, Palm Springs and Los Angeles.