Many years ago, when I was in music school, the intellectual effetists who couldn't actually play would always say that they were "influenced" by Coltrane and Bird. That was supposed to somehow mystically raise their playing to another level. While I understand what Trane and Bird were playing, I personally don't consider this the nexus of music. They were great musicians. We need to pay attention to what they did. They left their audience behind at the time. I don't play for myself, I couldn't go there.
Inspiration’s a subjective thing; everyone assembles their own mental collection of dusty bits and pieces. I’ll use myself as an example of a crappy musician who might claim to be inspired by great ones.
In a perfect world, there’s no way I make a living in music. If I was in your music school class, you’d have said, “The dude can’t even play happy birthday.”
On the plus side of the ledger. I can create a nice melody and make a recording that sounds good. And kinda know what to do when someone says, “Here’s film, write some music for it.”
I’ve never played
real jazz. I don’t have the chops or chromatic sophistication. But one night a few years ago I was at a party with a bunch of other music folks and music biz people, and had a unique experience. Marcus Belgrave had his horn with him and wanted to play. No one else spoke up. I figured WTF. I sat down at the piano and tried to be McCoy Tyner, which, c’mon, I have no idea what McCoy Tyner even
did.
Way over my head. I repeat, I have no jazz legitimacy.
But Marcus and I connected, and in all honesty, both of us had a good time for a few hours.
Can a musical slob like me claim to be legitimately inspired by McCoy Tyner? Well, there doesn’t seem to be a test anyone has to pass in order to qualify. So yeah,
I’m insprired by McCoy Tyner, man. 
Pretty much anyone has a right to say they’re inspired by great players, in my book, even if, like me, they suck.
Also one other thing was pretty cool; like so many great players (Marcus was internationally known for his playing and writing) the dude was an overwhelmingly ‘generous’ guy to play with. By that I mean, he wasn’t judgmental, worked with what little I could do with a big smile, and just went about enjoying playing.
