sideman

[ sahyd-man, -muhn ]

noun

, plural side·men [sahyd, -men, -m, uh, n].

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

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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From New York Times

The main distinction is that Esposito is the lead as opposed to the sideman, a designation that he should have received much earlier in his career.

From Salon