Watch the Ken Burns series, "Jazz" on PBS. That may go a long way in clarifying your understanding of jazz. My mom took me to hear Armstrong when I was 10 (1951), and he sold me on jazz immediately. His Hot 5 and Hot 7 records helped define the direction of jazz (and, to a degree, pop and rock, and even Broadway) for decades. Listen to those recordings a number of times, and pick out a different instrument to follow each time you listen. Finally, take in the numbers as a whole. Armstrong said they did not improvise--everything they did was planned--variations on themes, Also, pick up the Willie Humphrey performance of "My Blue Heaven" on YouTube. His extended clarinet solo there is a model of elegance. For utter abandon, find the YouTube recording, "Ice Cream," by the December Band in 1965. John Handy's extended sax solo in the middle of the piece will have you shaking your head just as a few members of the band were doing. For ancient history, try "High Society," Picou-1959 and hear a very old Alphonse Picou do his turn of the 20th-century variation on that old college fight song march. In many modern performances of this song, the clarinetist will play Picou's variation, and then present his/her own take. Another bit of history--one of the first multi-track recordings. In 1941, Sidney Bechet played all 5 instrumental parts in "Sheik of Araby" by recording one part, then accompanying that with a second part, then those two with a third, etc. Finally, pick up a few of Tuba Skinny's long sessions on YouTube, and if you get a chance, hear them live. Their vocalist, Erika Lewis, will make you cry. They are preserving traditional jazz as well as any group in the world.
Can you recommend Jazz for some one that doesn't like Jazz?
Let me explain, I have tried to like jazz for over 30 years. I rarely find something I like. To me it sounds too disjointed, like everyone is trying to out do the others and they are all playing a different song. I know there has to be some good instrumental smooth jazz artists I am missing. If you have any suggestions of whom to try let me know. Some that are on my Jazz playlist is Pat Metheny-"It's for you" Bill Frisell _"Heard it through the grapevine" Holly Cole, George Benson... for an example of things I do like.
I'd love to have a 100 song Jazz playlist. So what'ch got for me?
Thanks