Best musician in the world?

John Mclaughlin,Dead Can Dance.

anne sophie mutter-she can make a classical listener out of anybody. definitely hendrix-

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.

For musical ability, knowledge and experience, try Gunther Schuller or Pierre Boulez. This isn't to say that these guys haven't written a whole lot of unlistenable junk in their lives, but due to the school I attented, I had the opportunity to work with them in person (as well as a few other notables, such as Lukas Foss and John Corigliano), and these two stand out as the most amazing musical phenomenon I have ever seen. But if you insist on pop music, I suggest Tiffany.

In the early 19th Century Paganni was considered the greatest musical virtuso performer of his time. He thus inspired Franz List who legend has it holed himself and practiced for hours on end to raise the level of virtuosity on the piano to new heights comparable to or above the level of Paganni on the violin. In addition to being acknowledged as probably the greatest pianist of his time he was also quite the showman who had women swooning and throwing their undergarments on stage. The TRUE precursor to the 20th Century performers we know. In addition he is certainly among the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Not too shabby. The greatest are ultimately the most original in their field, the ones who inspire others to new heights. There is no answer. Who would argue with the following - Prokoviev, Rachmaninov, Gershwin, Sinatra, Vaughn, Fitzgerald, Parker, Ellington, Davis, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Lennon, McCartney, Brian Wilson, Muddy Waters and many more. There is so much to musicianship than can't be measured by the question "Who is best"? Who is technically the best? Who is artistically the best? Who is the most expressive? Who is the most original? Who is the most inspiring?