sideman

noun

side·​man ˈsīd-ˌman How to pronounce sideman (audio)
: a member of a band or orchestra and especially of a jazz or swing orchestra

Examples of sideman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Rundgren fans got a bonus in having his longtime sideman on both solo and Utopia stints, Kasim Sulton, get a prominent role in the show beyond just bass duties. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2025 Three other musicians are getting in via the Musical Excellence Award, as also selected by the board: producer Thom Bell; pianist Nicky Hopkins, a frequent Rolling Stones sideman back in the day; and bassist Carole Kaye, a famous member of the session players’ ensemble the Wrecking Crew. Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025 Tom used to call me the co-captain, but the rest of the band never felt like sidemen. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 Ayers first recorded as a sideman with saxophonist Curtis Amy before releasing his debut album, West Coast Vibes, in 1963. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sideman

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideman was in 1919

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Cite this Entry

“Sideman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideman. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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