@fthompson251
To enjoy Jazz, you need to understand at least two things: 1) Jazz improvisation is a language and 2) there is a general pattern or structure to Jazz performances.
As with any language, it’s best to start out simply, so that you develop an ear for the "alphabet" and the "grammar". You wouldn’t start learning Russian by jumping into a Tolstoy novel! You’d start with single words, then simple phrases, then sentences, then simple conversation, etc.
As far as the structure goes, whether playing a "tin pan alley" standard by someone like Cole Porter or George Gershwin, or a tune written by a Jazz player such as Duke Ellington or Thelonious Monk, what generally occurs is: a main melody or theme is stated at the beginning, then players take turns improvising on that theme, then the main theme is repeated.
You’ve heard this approach in Rock. Take a song like "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers. There is a main theme or melody that is introduced at the beginning and played several times. Then soloists (D. Betts, Les Dudek, Chuck Leavell) take turns improvising on the main theme. Then the main theme gets repeated to close it out.
Jazz is similar, it’s just that the music tends to be considerably more complex and those players who are not soloing tend to be more interactive with the soloist as opposed to Rock, Pop, Country, R&B, Blues, where they stick to prescribed backing parts that tend to remain the same throughout the tune. Note that there are genres/recordings where all the players are improvising at once (typically referred to as collective improvisation) but most Jazz follows the template I’ve described.
To comprehend improvisation on a theme, you need to know the theme, so it’s "playing in your head" while you’re listening to the improvisation. This helps you "make sense" of the improvisation and grasp how the soloist is using the main melody as a basis for creating new melodies, both adhering to and diverging from the main melody. If you cannot hear the main theme/melody, then improvisation may simply sound like a collection of random notes to you!
Naturally, the simpler the theme, the easier it will be to keep track of it.
Having said all of the above, there is no universal law that states that you must like Jazz! Not every genre is for everyone.
I know nothing about smooth Jazz nor do I stream so I can’t be much help with recommendations.
I can suggest listening to music that while not being Jazz, is "jazzy"
"Stardust" by Willie Nelson
"Breezin’" by George Benson
Try Classic Jazz, such as Louis Armstrong
Try jazzy Blues, like "The Real Thing" by Taj Mahal or "One More Mile" or "Alright Again" by Gatemouth Brown. Try vocalist Mose Allison
Try Louis Jordan’s jazzy R&B or Country Swing, such as Asleep At the Wheel.
Jazz had an enormous influence on popular music during the 70’s. Check out vocalists Michael Franks and Al Jarreau. Joni Mitchell released a series of albums very much influenced by Jazz, some even utilizing Jazz heavyweights such as Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. "Court and Spark" is probably the most accessible. This was the era of Jazz Fusion such as Weather Report, HeadHunters, Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as "jazzy" bands with more of an R&B flavor such as Stuff, LA Express, Earth Wind and Fire, and the Crusaders, to name a few. Jeff Beck released a series of jazzy albums with "Blow by Blow" being the most celebrated. The CTI label was very popular, generally offering a smoother, more accessible take on Jazz.. There were popular jazzy Latin artists such as Flora Purim and Caldera. There arose a sort of "world music" approach, characterized by bands such as Oregon and Shakti.
The ECM label emerged at this point, featuring artists such as Keith Jarrett, Ralph Towner, Gary Burton, Jan Garbarek and Pat Metheny. It was a cooler, more European esthetic with great sound quality. Some of this music is quite accessible and melodic while some is more abstract. Try "Crystal Silence" by Chick Corea and Gary Burton, "Bright Size Life" by Pat Metheny or "Belonging" by Keith Jarrett.
There is also "bluesy Jazz", such as Stanley Turrentine. Try "the Spoiler" or "Midnight Blue" by Kenny Burrell or "Back at the Chicken Shack" by Jimmy Smith. There is a lot to enjoy in this genre! Mingus could be very Bluesy. try "Blues and Roots".
I apologize for my steam of consciousness, random listing. Pick up something like the All Music Guide to Jazz for a more organized and complete introduction to Jazz and all its sub-genres. Jazz is an enormous genre -- a vivid spectrum incorporating a very wide range of stylistic "colors". Perhaps you simply haven’t been exposed to those parts of the spectrum that appeal to you. Spotify is one way to explore many Jazz/jazzy artists and discover what you might like.
I hope this has been at least somewhat helpful.
