Crossword Genius

Composer at sea left band without piano backing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maestro

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'composer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sea left band without piano backing' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'sea' is 'aes' which is within the answer.
'band' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'at' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maestro that I've seen before include "Top player" , "Outstanding performer" , "conductor, maybe" , "Distinguished artist" , "Master of any art, from Italian" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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