noun
instrumentalist; player
Refers to a person who plays a musical instrument, often in a formal or performance context. Common in compound names like ピアノ奏者 (pianist) or バイオリン奏者 (violinist).
彼はプロのピアノ奏者です。
He is a professional pianist.
オーケストラの奏者が舞台に登場した。
The orchestra players appeared on stage.
Compound of 奏 (play music) and 者 (person). The reading そうしゃ is the standard on'yomi combination.