Best Sounding Musicians


I'd like to compile my list of best sounding musicians under any circuimstances regardless of recording quality and regardless of instrument played or style -- will list. Many of us know that ability of musician to get best sound of instrument is also boutique ability and definitely part of musicians talent. For that ability I nominate following:

1. Jascha Heifetz -- violin
2. Bill Frisell -- electric guitar
3. Stan Getz -- tenor sax
4. Pat Metheny -- various guitars
5. Adrean Belew -- electric guitar
6. Wolfgang Hafner -- drums
7. Nils Peter Molvaer -- trumpet
8. Julie London -- voice
9. Richard Bona -- electric bass
10. Charlie Haden -- string bass
11. Joey DeFrancesco -- B3
12. Eric Clapton -- electric guitar
13. SRV -- electric guitar
14. Van Cliburn -- piano
16. David Gilmour -- electric guitar
17. Carla Bley -- piano
18. Jason Veaux -- acoustic guitar
czarivey
We should indeed speak of a TONE. It's a great quality of musician that even makes recording engineer's job easier to create great quality recording.
FYI, when I referred in my post to "my favorites in the vocal category," I should have stated more explicitly that I was referring to favorites in the vocal category who IMO were gifted with vocal instruments having exceptional tone.

Regards,
-- Al
I can listen to Charlie Haden all day long...his "Under the Missouri Sky" is one of my go-to favs when I just want to relax and not think about anything.
James Ehnes gets my vote. The most astonishing phrase from a violin I ever heard was the soloist entrance in the Dvorak Violin Concerto by Ehnes. It was beautiful beyond (by a considerable margin) anything I have ever heard. I was seated about 15 ft from him. I just melted in my seat, and turned to my wife and she was obviously having the same reaction. I would give a lot to relive that moment.

I have a number of his recordings, and I treasure every single one of them.