sideman

American  

[sahyd-man, -muhn] / ˈsaɪdˌmæn, -mən /

noun

PLURAL

sidemen

1. an instrumentalist in a band or orchestra.

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

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sideman British  

/ ˈsaɪdmən /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of sideman

First recorded in 1560–70; side ¹ + man

Example Sentences

As is frequently the case with rhythm-section musicians, he has recorded far more often as a sideman or co-leader than as the sole frontman.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is more flamboyant as a sideman with the trumpeter Jaimie Branch and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis and in his longstanding association with trumpeter Rob Mazurek in various permutations of the ensemble Chicago Underground.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times