sideman

noun

side·​man ˈsīd-ˌman 

: 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

Zisman gave up the sideman hustle years ago but has kept a foot in the scene by accompanying vocalist Kim Nalley, a chair he’s held down for decades. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Hakim, a genre chameleon who has performed as a sideman for Adrianne Lenker, made a record with the jazz saxophonist Roy Nathanson, and been sampled by T-Pain, has also claimed minimalist icons Steve Reich and Terry Riley as influences. — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

The vocalist’s wide-ranging gifts and moods benefit from the versatile skill set of the sometime-sideman for Erykah Badu and Madlib. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026

The Hawks’ veteran guard CJ McCollum, always excellent but usually a sideman to a brighter star, dribbled and sidestepped through and around the Knicks defense, suddenly looking like one of the best offensive players in the league. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sideman

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan