I would have to put forward the name of Thelonious Monk. He pioneered a whole new form of piano playing that has not been equaled since. He was also a great composer. Check out "The Blue Note Years" and just about anything else with his name on it.

Also, when I hear John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy playing, I am hearing genius. Check out "John Coltrane live at Birdland with Eric Dolphy."

Charles Mingus is the great composer, band leader and bass player of the 20th Century. Pure genius. Check out "Blues and roots," "The Clown", "Mingus Ah Um" and "Mingus Oh Yeah."

Bert Jansch. A brilliant guitarist who pionneered an evolving new technique of playing and songwriting in a number of classic albums. Check out "Bert Jansch,"" Jack Orion," "Rosemary Lane" and "Avocet".