Who are the musician's musicians?

The players who aren't household words, but are revered by famous musicians. I think of Denny Dias, Phil Keaggy, Leo Nocentelli on guitar, Jerry Jemott on bass, Don Randi on keys.
(During Roxy Music's heyday Brian Eno was known as 'the non-musician's musician'.)
I know there's a ton of them... who do you think?

 

Frank Sinatra used to listen to Tony Bennett

 

Robert Johnson

 

J.J. Cale

 

Townes Van Zandt
Elizabeth Cotten
Laura Nyro

 

aside from leo, don't forget the rest of the meters.

 

Danny Thompson

 

What about Gram Parsons and Gene Clark?

 

Marc Ford and Rich Robinson

 

I would not count them as neither has particularly notable skills as a musician. They are mostly writers and singers.

Now, in their circles, Clarence White, Doug Dillard, James Burton, Ron Tutt or Bernie Leadon would be a good call.

 

Most of the dudes in Zappa at one time or another.

Mike Keneally
Scott Thunes
Terry Bozzio

Etc.

A guy I always looked for, in terms of credibility and musicianship on an album, was Simon Phillips.

 

Bassist Patrick O' Hearn was with Zappa and Missing Persons. Amazing player. Rocco Prestia from T. O. P.
From the world of shred guitar, Guthrie Govan. I guess Danny Gatton would qualify.

 

James Jamerson (Motown bassist)

 

Jim Keltner - session drummer

 

Yeah, I was definitely thinking in terms of songwriters, which is not what the OP was about.

 

Jerry Douglas

 

How about guys from this century? All the guys in Dirty Loops are praised in musician's circles for how well they play and sing.

Ed

 

I would think Richard Thompson makes the cut.

 

I might call Eno the musician's non-musician. Don't believe he was real known for his talent on any instrument. He played some mono synth with Roxy, but that was more sound effects than keyboard playing.

 

Herbie Flowers

 

Alan Holdsworth
Jeff Beck

Both much respected but barely loveable.

 

Brad Jones - producer and bass player extraordinaire.

 

Carol Kaye

 

All those EL Lay dudes: Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar...

 

Aynsley Dunbar
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie
Jerry Cole
Larry Knechtel
Mike Deasy
Hal Blaine