In this year of peak activity by the grim reaper, while we can, let’s celebrate the finest musicians of the world who are still breathing and still performing.

My top five:

5. Catlin Finch a Welsh wizardess on harp 4. Cory Henry on Hammond Organ 3. Jim Eno on drums ( I love his lack of fuss. He gives himself entirely to the song, much like Ringo did) 2. Toumani Diabaté who is magic on kora

And finest musician alive, in my view, is

1. Danny Thompson on upright bass. How he makes four simple strings and a piece sing so beautifully, I will never know. I could listen to him for ever.

Yes. I know this is another list thread but, what the hell. Over to you Afterworders.

While you ponder, here’s Danny with Jon Thorne