Best musician in the world?

The best ? How about the greatest ? Well, I can think of two or three---and they're all dead. The one that comes to mind most immediately is Jasha Heifetz, an absolute wizard with his instrument (the violin, of course).

Timwat, have you ever heard Victor Wooten, bass player from Bela Fleck? Also, I gotta agree with you on the Pat Metheny front, he's pretty amazing. But when making a laundry list of guitarists lets not forget John McGlaughlin and Stanley Jordan.

Your question is kind of vague. I'm assuming that you mean "multi-instrument" musician. That answer is easy. It's Roy Wood. Put him in front of an instrument and he'll play it. It will be pleasing both to the listener and those that are technically skilled in that area. Too many different instruments and styles of music to list. Sean

Jklotch - Never heard Victor Wooten, but will check him out w/ Fleck and Flecktones. Metheny's first great gift seems to be melodic improvisation, but recent discs display great compositional skill as well. I haven't heard Stanley Jordan for 10 years now, but remember his two hand hammer-on technique was unique in the jazz world (although Van Halen spawned a decade of wannabes in Metal). I've only heard later McGlaughlin, which struck me a lot like Al DiMeola...undeniable speed and technical skill, but what's he trying to say? Is there a couple McGlaughlin / Mahavishnu Orch recordings you'd recommend, where he's "saying" something? On an entirely different note, I'd recommend Diana Krall (especially latest) to any audiophile listener. Wonderful voice, good pianist and stellar, immaculate production aesthetic.

Timwat, check out Birds of Fire or Inner Mounting Flame by the Mahavishnu orchestra. Some great music. Not necessarily rooted in the 1000 notes per second highly technical sound McGlaughlin's known for. Speedy, but some really moving and emotional passages. Bela Fleck has a great older solo album (you have to like that kind of jazz) call Songs from an Accoustic Planet which features many contemporary artists including Chick Corea among others. You can hear Wooten's influence on every Bela/Flecktones album. I prefer their newer albums - something about the melodies are more appealing. Wooten also has a solo album which I have not heard. I saw Fleck/Flecktones in concert and was amazed at Wooten's solo rendition of Amazing Grace on the bass. Goosebumps. If you like the old McGlaughlin sound, Larry Coryells is another great sounding guitarist. I saw him live in NYC at the Blue Note. It blew my mind. You're right about Dianna Krall. Outstanding voice. Every recording sounds like she's performing in your living room. There is a program on every Friday night called Sessions at 54th street (hosted by John Hiatt) where she played a 1 hour set - outstanding. My only gripe is that they make her out to be a sexy jazz diva and she has that weird looking squiggy eye expression. What I'd like to see is a collaberation, like a dueling piano type thing, with her and Harry Connick Jr.