sideman
Band's backup player
A sideman is a musician who accompanies a bandleader or featured performer, playing a supporting rather than lead role.
The term comes from jazz, where sidemen backed soloists and sang harmony: He spent years as a sideman before fronting his own quartet.
The word applies broadly to session musicians and touring band members who aren't the headliner.
Fellow group musician
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- comboItems grouped together
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
- swingSuspended recreational seat
improvisation · comping · gig · groove · backing · soloist · bandleader · vamp
Stored duplicate for recovery
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- secondaryLesser in rank
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
subordinate · deputy · assistant · helper · fill-in · substitute · touring · featured
Group playing music together
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- quartetEnsemble of four
- trioGroup of three
- comboItems grouped together
group · choir · collective · lineup · roster · arrangement · performance · concert
One who plays six strings
- drummerOne who keeps rhythm
- bassistDeep-string instrumentalist
- keyboardistKeys instrument player
- saxophonistOne who plays woodwind
trumpeter · percussionist · trombonist · pianist · organist · harmonicist · clarinetist · vibraphonist
bandmate
Fellow group musician
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- comboItems grouped together
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
swing · improvisation · comping · gig · groove · backing · soloist · bandleader · vamp · lick
backup
Stored duplicate for recovery
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- accompanistOne who plays alongside
- secondaryLesser in rank
auxiliary · subordinate · deputy · assistant · helper · fill-in · substitute · touring · featured · uncredited
band
Group playing music together
combo · group · choir · collective · lineup · roster · arrangement · performance · concert · tour
guitarist
One who plays six strings
- drummerOne who keeps rhythm
- bassistDeep-string instrumentalist
- keyboardistKeys instrument player
saxophonist · trumpeter · percussionist · trombonist · pianist · organist · harmonicist · clarinetist · vibraphonist · flutist
recording
Captured audio or video
cartage · roadie · tour · overdub · tracking · mix · credits · album
- jazz bandsjazz band, big band, swing band, combo, ensemble
- music slanggig, jam, riff, lick, chops
- session musicianssession guitarist, session drummer, session player
- rock musicrock band, electric guitar, guitar solo, guitar riff, guitar riffs
- jazzbebop, swing era, hard bop, soul jazz, cool jazz
- Behind the Scenesbackstage, stunt double, body double, understudy, stand-in
sidemanbandleader
Director of musical ensemble
frontman · lead singer · headliner · frontwoman · star
sidemanstar
Luminous astronomical object
headliner · lead · soloist · marquee name · main attraction