List of session musicians

This is a list of session musicians — professional musicians who perform in individual sessions rather than being a permanent member of an ensemble. The list covers those who are especially notable for such work.

List

Abraham Laboriel Sr., bass guitar^[2]
Airto Moreira, percussion^[2]
Alex Acuña, drums, percussion^[2]
Bernard Purdie, drums^[3]
Bob Babbitt, bass guitar^[4]
Bobbye Hall, percussion — one of the few female session musicians^[3]
Bobby Keys, saxophone^[5]
Carol Kaye, bass guitar — one of the few female session musicians^[3]
David Sanborn, saxophone^[3]
Earl Palmer, drums
Fred Lonberg-Holm, cello^[4]
Geraint Watkins, accordion, piano^[6]
Hal Blaine, drums
Jay Graydon, guitar^[4]
Justo Almario, clarinet, flute, saxophone^[2]
Karl Brazil, drummer^[6]
Luis Conte, percussion^[2]
Michael Lang, piano^[7]
Mike Mogis, guitar and other instruments^[4]
Milton McDonald, guitar^[6]
Mitchell Coleman Jr., drums
Nicky Hopkins, piano^[1]
Paulinho Da Costa, percussion^[2]
Pino Palladino, bass guitar^[6]
Ramon "Ray" Yslas, drums^[2]
Steve Cropper, guitar^[3]
Wayne Jackson, trumpet — a regular house musician for Stax Records^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Colin Larkin (2011), The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Omnibus Press, p. 150, ISBN 978-0857125958, ...paid tribute with 'Session Man' from Face To Face.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g The tide was always high : the music of Latin America in Los Angeles. Josh Kun, Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. Oakland, California. 2017. ISBN 978-0-520-29439-4. OCLC 974992156.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Rob Bowman (2003), "Session musician", Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, vol. II: Performance and Production, pp. 104–106, ISBN 978-0826463227
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Michaelangelo Matos (10 May 2011), "Indie music and the hired gun", The Guardian
^ Christopher J. Oglesby (2013), Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air, University of Texas Press, ISBN 978-0292749696, Bobby Keys is one of the premier rock 'n' roll and R&B saxophone session players.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Graeme Thompson (14 June 2009), "Pop stars anonymous", The Observer
^ Burlingame, Jon (August 5, 2022). "Mike Lang, Leading Jazz and Studio Pianist, Dies at 80". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2023.

[epm-1] Colin Larkin (2011), The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Omnibus Press, p. 150, ISBN 978-0857125958, ...paid tribute with 'Session Man' from Face To Face.

[:0-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g The tide was always high : the music of Latin America in Los Angeles. Josh Kun, Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. Oakland, California. 2017. ISBN 978-0-520-29439-4. OCLC 974992156.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)

[cepmw-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Rob Bowman (2003), "Session musician", Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, vol. II: Performance and Production, pp. 104–106, ISBN 978-0826463227

[indie-4] Michaelangelo Matos (10 May 2011), "Indie music and the hired gun", The Guardian

[5] Christopher J. Oglesby (2013), Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air, University of Texas Press, ISBN 978-0292749696, Bobby Keys is one of the premier rock 'n' roll and R&B saxophone session players.

[psa-6] Graeme Thompson (14 June 2009), "Pop stars anonymous", The Observer

[7] Burlingame, Jon (August 5, 2022). "Mike Lang, Leading Jazz and Studio Pianist, Dies at 80". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2023.

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