sideman

[sahyd-man, -muhn]

noun

plural

sidemen 

1. an instrumentalist in a band or orchestra.

2. an instrumentalist supporting a soloist or a principal performer.

sideman

/ ˈsaɪdmən /

noun

1. a member of a dance band or a jazz group other than the leader

Word History and Origins

Origin of sideman¹

First recorded in 1560–70; side ¹ + man

Example Sentences

And it is the ambassador, Yaron Sideman, who will represent Israel at the funeral of Pope Francis.

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In part, that can be attributed to the fact that Haynes rarely led his own groups, spending most of his time as a first-call sideman.

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He told Dead biographer Browne, “I wasn’t deeply involved in those records. I felt like a sideman.”

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The drummer was on part of Joe Cocker’s infamous Mad Dogs and Englishmen revue, a traveling circus of sex, drugs and legendary music, featuring bandleader and keyboardist-guitarist Leon Russell; saxophonist Bobby Keys, a sideman for the Rolling Stones; and singer Rita Coolidge.

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David Sanborn, whose fiery alto saxophone flourishes earned him six Grammy Awards, eight gold albums and a platinum one, and who established himself as a celebrity sideman, lending indelible solos to enduring rock classics like David Bowie’s “Young Americans,” died on Sunday.

Read more on New York Times