zachsd

Including classical, than Mozart wins hands down. Don't see how there can be any argument there.

Contemporary-wise, I would say Charles Mingus. The reason why I'm hesitant is because a lot of his music is reflecting a somewhat strange time in my own life right now, so I might be somewhat biased. But looking at the question logically, I really can't think of many others who would top Mingus. Not only was his skill as a musician amazing, but equally amazing, if not more so, was his skill in leading musicians. Even his recordings on piano are pretty incredible, although there are definitely a few jazz-piano albums that I would place before Mingus Plays Piano (like Village Vanguard, although that is a completely different animal altogether). Albums that really stick out for me though are The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Blues & Roots, and Let My Children Hear Music.

And I find more spirituality in Mingus's music than Coltrane's, although I think I might be in the minority on that one. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting completely turns my head around, like a musical high. I love how the scratches on the Blues & Roots recording make it seem like the music is too powerful to be recorded, like divinely sent or something.

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Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

I honestly think Mozart was quite bland. His influence ofcourse is extremely relevant but I feel his compositions are sort of just eh...

Stone Birds

i'm changing my answer to peter gabriel

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zachsd

Not only was his influence tremendous, but his skill as a musician was extraordinary. And I guess I just have to disagree with your opinion that his compositions were "eh":

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TockTockTock

My favorite guitarist, along with Tom Verlaine and Django Reinhardt. I can tell you, I have around... 100 Jimi Hendrix songs on my mp3 player. It's amazing how much he recorded in only four years! Possibly one of the best bands to ever exist was The Band of Gypsies. Not only is Hendrix one of the best guitarists who ever lived, but I can safely say that Buddy Miles is one of the best drummers. Billy Cox was great too, he could match up with John Paul Jones on base.

TockTockTock

I've always had respect for Mozart, although I've always preferred Tchaikovsky and Dvorak. Of course, John Cage changed everything (but he's in a completely different realm than they are).

Dr_Rez

Doesnt greatest musician end up being your favorite genres most accomplished? I mean how does one compare Hendrix to Mozart??

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Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

I don't know. I still think these are kind of eh. I mean, they're not bad, and I can see how they're archetypal to most all later music but just not enough to classify Mozart as the undisputed greatest as his reputation is.



Now, Bartok was ****ing amazing /\.

clutnuckle

Beethoven and Bach were the optimal points for classical music in terms of great music, great quantity, and great influence. You'll hear a lot more Bach and Beethoven stemming through modern music than Mozart, even though Mozart is more famous because of his tragic death and his gift of being able to hear music and immediately create a piece out of it. Though Mozart's music is often fantastic, as well.

TockTockTock

Well, I personally don't think it's possible to find the "greatest" musician of all time, but I do think it's possible to compare Hendrix to Mozart. I don't know if you meant your comment to imply that Mozart is better than Hendrix, so I won't go into that. Besides, don't you think it sort of defeats the purpose of music?