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Difference between Side boy and Sideman

side boy—(Navy) one of the crew detailed to stand at the gangway as a mark of respect to a person arriving:

  • Shipmate Talbot was nominated “side boy” for the evening and he piped the Mayor aboard.

sideman—( Jazz) a supporting instrumentalist:

  • He began playing in bands just a few years later, and was soon accepted as a desirable sideman.