What is a great sideman? According to jazz great Herb Ellis he is, “A magnificent musician who makes everyone who employs him sound better than they deserve to”.

Billy Bauer certainly fulfils Herb’s definition. His track record of achievement with Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz, George Barnes, and later as ‘first call’ musician on the New York studio scene is exemplary.

Here’s a sound-clip from his “Marionette” based on the harmonic changes of  the old standard “September In The Rain”.