It's interesting that almost all of the recommendations above are for pop artists, most of whom aren't talented enough to serve tea to the truly best musicians. Here's my list for what it's worth, by instrument, with living artists in CAPITALS and dead artists in small case. Violin: ITZHAK PERLMAN / Jascha Heifetz Cello: YO-YO MA / Pablo Casals Guitar (classical): CHRISTOPHER PARKENING / Andres Segovia Guitar (jazz): BILL FRISELL (altho' Jim Hall is a very close 2nd) / Django Reinhardt Piano (classical): NO NOMINATION / Artur Rubenstein Piano (jazz): MCCOY TYNER / Art Tatum Drums: MAX ROACH / Art Blakey Percussionist: TRILOK GURTU (Paulino DaCosta is a very close 2nd) / no nomination Jazz saxophone: SONNY ROLLINS / John Coltrane (Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young would be close 2nd's) Jazz trumpet: WYNTON MARSALIS / Louis Armstrong & Miles Davis (tie) Jazz Bass: CHARLIE HAYDEN / Charles Mingus. I'd really enjoy other people's choices in the categories I've outlined.
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.