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TERMS AND USAGE

"Studio musicians" are session musicians who do not work outside of the recording studio environment. These players work exclusively inside a studio environment, sometimes for a single studio whereas a session musician may perform at concerts or in any other performance scenario. In the everyday world of the music business, the terms "studio musician" and "session musician" are often used interchangeably.

Session musicians are used in any situation where musical skills are needed on a short-term basis, ranging from a few hours to many months. Typical uses of session musicians are:
  • In a recording studio to provide backing for Advertising , Film and Television music

  • To provide instrumental or vocal backing for established solo artists or groups, both in the studio and in concerts and appearances

  • To act as temporary replacements for permanent members of a band or ensemble

  • To provide additional instruments or vocals when needed by a band or ensemble

  • In ensembles for Theatrical Productions


The term generally does not refer to:

Instead, session musicians perform with (and are hired by, or on behalf of) some other musical act or artistic production. Apart from being highly competent at their instruments, skilled session musicians are also expected to learn parts rapidly, and to play music by sight (reading directly from the musical score).

This is typically, but not exclusively, true of certain instruments or sounds that are required, such as backing vocals, rhythm sections, horn sections, percussion, etc.

The above definitions do not always apply to earlier times. For example, during the 1920s and 1930s most record companies had their own prolific "studio bands" turning out records of the latest pop hits. These were often made up by jazz and dance band musicians who were at the same time members of regular working bands and who divided their time between studio work (recordings as well as broadcasting) during the day and live performances in the evenings. Notable such "studio musicians" include Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey , Benny Goodman , Jack Teagarden , Red Nichols , Miff Mole , and Mike Mosiello .


NOTABLE SESSION MUSICIANS

Many session musicians have long and successful careers. Some achieve considerable fame within the musical industry, although session musicians do not usually achieve popular celebrity. Notable exceptions include the members of the band



Other notable session musicians include:


Hal Blaine ,
Jan Axel Blomberg ,
Vinnie Colaiuta ,
Josh Freese ,
Steve Gadd ,
Winston Grennan ,
Willie Hall ,
Roger Hawkins ,
Al Jackson, Jr. ,
Steve Jordan ,
Jim Keltner ,
Abraham Laboriel Jr. ,
Paul Leim ,
Nate Morton ,
Simon Phillips ,
Jeff Porcaro ,
Bernard Purdie ,
and Joey Waronker .


Bob Babbitt ,
Wilbur Bascomb ,
Donald "Duck" Dunn ,
Nathan East ,
Herbie Flowers ,
David Hood ,
David Hungate ,
Anthony Jackson ,
James Jamerson ,
Jerry Jemmott ,
Abraham Laboriel ,
Will Lee ,
Tony Levin ,
Joe Long ,
Marcus Miller ,
Pino Palladino ,
Wojciech Pilichowski ,
Chuck Rainey ,
Tommy Sims ,
and Leland Sklar .


Pete Anderson ,
James Burton ,
Larry Carlton ,
Ry Cooder ,
Steve Cropper ,
Andrew Gold ,
Jay Graydon ,
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges ,
Dann Huff ,
Michael Landau ,
David Lindley ,
Steve "Luke" Lukather ,
Jim McGorman ,
Scotty Moore ,
Rafael Moreira ,
Matt "Guitar" Murphy ,
Jimmy Page ,
Lee Ritenour ,
Earl "Chinna" Smith ,
Hubert Sumlin ,
and Reggie Young .


David Foster ,
Don Grolnick ,
Nicky Hopkins ,
Johnnie Johnson ,
Booker T. Jones ,
Bradley Joseph ,
Larry Knechtel ,
Chuck Leavell ,
Jim McGorman ,
Paul Mirkovich ,
Spooner Oldham ,
Steve Porcaro ,
Billy Preston ,
Ike Turner ,
and Carson Whitsett .


Patti Austin ,
Tony Burrows ,
Bill Champlin ,
Kacey Cisyk ,
Jeanette Clinger ,
Tommy Funderburk ,
Siedah Garrett ,
Carl Hall ,
Cissy Houston ,
Richard Page ,
Chris Rodriguez ,
Frank Simms ,
and Miriam Stockley .




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