Taike, I will try to answer the questions...I gather you are looking for the single most influential player..I have been fortunate to be around many..but for the 26 years that I have known him...Uncle Dave has been the most skilled I have known..not just his ability to play "arranger", but to step away from arranger and make it playing left hand bass, with comp right hand..Sure his greatest attribute is vocals....and to answer what sets some apart from competition..For me..it is "personality" and the know how...to make the customer feel good..and part of communication (interaction) between entertainer and audience..Uncle Dave has it...and so do I..

Without this...you are in a large group of reasonably good musicians/entertainers..

You can measure your success by the number of your following..

There are several others that rate at the top here on SZ too..Don M, DNJ, and several of the Maryland guys..