This one is a tough call for me.  I was a huge fan and he was hands down the top player of his era (admirttedly there wasn't a lot of steller competition during his era).  But I'm not sure that he's Hall of Fame stuff.  He was a master craftsman, integrity till the end, played with great heart and a brilliant synthsist of styles, but not really a pioneer, or innovator per se. And because he was such a singular talent, I don't know that he'd rate as influential.  Very tough call but I'd have to say worthy on a year with a weak ballot at best.