Unheralded Sideman

Waddy Wachtel may be the quintessential sideman. He is an LA guitarist who played with Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge and too many others to count. Think of the guitar on Stevie's "Edge of Seventeen" -- that's him.

Mike Campbell is another great sideman -- Tom Petty's guitarist for the last twenty years or so. And Kenny Aronoff, John Mellencamp's drummer.

I like Zaikesman's distinction between sidemen and band members, but it's harder to apply when you start thinking about jazz. Would that rule out Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, who played with Bill Evans? Jack DeJohnette and Gary Peacock, who make up Keith Jarrett's trio? Or how about Johnny Hodges and Cat Anderson with Duke Ellington's band?

I only know Jesse Edwin Davis from his Taj Mahal days. He had that twangy country blues sound going. He was so talented.

Swingman, you are correct: The "sideman" distinction is all but meaningless when talking about jazz, where shifting collaborations and pick-up groups are not only the norm, but an essential component of the music's development. In jazz, regular groups not formed as the backing unit for a leader, like the Modern Jazz Quartet, are the exception, not the rule.

Onhwy, the only records I have Jesse Davis on are Taj Mahal's (and one other place, I think, but I can't remember whose album or where in my collection to find it). He had a few of his own, which this thread may prompt me to try and find, and played on many others, so once in a long while I would hear his playing on the radio or at a friend's. He played with remarkable depth, spaciousness, restraint and soul -- a beautiful sound. Full-blooded American Indian, I believe. Sadly, dead now. On one early Taj album on which Jesse played lead, rhythm guitar was played by one "Ryland Cooder." Glad you remember him.

Waddy Wachtel...nice job Swingman. Here is my list...I know I am leaving many out.

DRUMS: Jeff Porcaro (RIP), Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Ferrone, Gregg Bissonette, Jim Keltner, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Carlos Vega (RIP), Kenny Aronoff, John "JR" Robinson, Steve DiStanislao, Steve Jordon, Abe Laboriel Jr., Tris Imboden, Ralph Humphrey, Richie Hayward, John Ferraro, Dave Weckl, Denny Fongheiser, Bernard Purdie, Simon Philips, Paul Liem, John Keane, Praire Prince, Anton Fig, Steve Smith, Manu Katche, John Guerin.

GUITAR: Michael Landau, Steve Lukuather, Paul Jackson Jr., Waddy Wachtel, Tim Pierce, Bruce Gaitsch, Neal Schon, David Rhodes, Warren Cuccurulo, Larry Carlton, Jeff Pevar.

BASS: Lee Sklar, Jimmy Johnson, Will Lee, David Hungate, Nathan East, Jimmy Haslip, John Pena, Randy Jackson, Jason Scheff, Neil Stubenhaus, Tim Landers, Mike Porcaro, Freddy Washington, Bunny Brunell, Abe Laboriel Sr., John Pierce.

KEYBOARDS: James Newton Howard, David Garfield, James Raymond, Bill Meyers, Gregg Mathieson, Randy Waldman, Tom Coster, John Beasley, Michael McDonald, Steve Porcaro, Greg Phillinganes, Mike Finnigan, Mike Boddicker, Michael Ruff, Alan Pasqua.