I would have to agree with all of those who mentioned Victor Wooten. Yes, your best chance to hear him is probably with Bela Fleck, but if you get an opportunity and you like his music you must hear his solo project live. I saw this act at a very small venue in Indpls, IN last Fall and was blown away. Not only is he amazing, but so are his brothers who acompany him ( His older brother taught him if that tells you anything). They are all very technical and such a tight act that the music just takes over and hours later leaves you wondering just what happened. The only other time I experienced that was at a Grateful Dead concert(no chemical aids, if you were wondering). I agree with all those who judge musicians by the way they make you feel. I have little to no musical ability, but I feel it deeply when it is conveyed with passion. By the way, if you are at this sight you are probably an audiophile, but don't think for a second that you can judge an artist's ability souly by listening to recorded music. If you want to know how good Victor is for instance, go see him live you won't be sorry.
Best musician in the world?
A question posed in another thread, in my view, although musicianship is hardly a sport to be measured as such, the most universally prodigious musician is probably Shawn Lane. He is definitely the world's most phenomenal/inimitable electric guitarist. And he is a world-class pianist and saxaphonist as well.