Really good thread but impossible to say a single name. It has to be someone popular as Im not on it.
Strangely enough Prince does come to the thought process quite early, McCartney, Lennon ( in that order ), Miles Davis, Monk. Its all in the ears of the listener- initially I thought Monk couldnt play, but that was a long time ago. Now listening to him, he was so good I could forgive myself for thinking what I did. Seems if you are that good you go full circle.