session player
Freelance recording musician
A session player is a musician hired to perform on recordings or live shows without being a permanent member of the band.
Session players are typically skilled professionals who can adapt to various styles on short notice: The album credits list a dozen session players.
Also called session musician.
Studio work pays well but offers no fame—session players remain anonymous even on hit records.
- recording studioFacility for capturing audio
- studio musicianHired recording performer
- demo recordingPreliminary musical submission
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- sidemanSupporting band member
guitar · sight-reading · reading charts · versatility · adaptability · quick learner · on the spot · reliability · drums · collaboration · album credits · improvisation · technical proficiency · professionalism · creativity · piano · backup vocalist · saxophone
- session musicianssideman
- musicianspianist, guitarist, electric guitarist, bassist, vocalist
- Pianistspianist, concert pianist, Lang Lang, Thelonious Monk, Franz Liszt
- amateur musiciansbedroom producer, garage band member, weekend warrior, open mic performer, busker
- Flutistsflutist, flautist, Lizzo
- traveling musicianstroubadour, minstrel, busker, street musician, bard
session playerfeatured artist
Credited musical collaborator
headliner · frontman · frontwoman · lead singer · bandleader
session playerbandleader
Director of musical ensemble
household name · auteur · songwriter · composer · producer
session, player, sessions, sessional, play, plays, played, playing, playable