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

128x128fthompson251

There are various compilations of the "Best of Blue Note."  This is one of the best ways to get into jazz--all of the selections are important pieces, accessible, yet much more than easy listening pablum.  You can then branch out based on which of the selections you find most enjoyable.  

If I had to pick a single artist that I think almost everyone would like, it would be Mingus.  Any of his iconic albums would have something that a jazz listener should like.  The same probably could be said of Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet.  Some of the other giants, like Coltrane, Monk, Davis, Gillespie, Dolphy, Hancock, Nelson are also reasonably accessible and at least some of their works should be well liked by any listener.  It might take a bit more listening for most listeners to enjoy the likes of Coleman and Roland Kirk, but that is part of the learning process.

Stanton Moore Fly'n the Coop is really fun, so is David Grisman Quintet Live at Jazz Alley. 

I have come to fix this situation!

A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi

Your Mother Should Know - Brad Mehldau

You Must Believe in Spring - Bill Evans

Happy listening.

If you have an interest in jazz contemporary jazz, there is an interesting series put out by ECM called "rarum" where their artists choose the tracks they want to include in their compilation, the order they want the tracks presented, and write the liner notes for the albums.  Artist include the likes of Tomasz Stanko, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek and Chick Corea.  

Another thing to look into is international stars that use traditional, non-European instruments in Jazz compositions.  For example, Anour Brahem plays the oud, a North African string instrument in some very beautiful albums like "Thimar," "the Astounding Eyes of Rita," and "Blue Maqams."  Another oud player, Rabih Abou-Khalil fuses Arabic and jazz and has produced a terrific album called "The Blue Camel" (If you can find the original LP, get it not only for the music and terrific recording quality, but also because the jacket is incredibly pretty).

@fthompson251 I have been of a similar mindset, but have recently been able to appreciate some jazz offerings.  What got me "primed" to be more open minded about this genre was listening to Internet Radio Station Jazz 24 out of Seattle.  I have it programmed into my receiver as a favorite station and would have it on often for awhile as background music, or just while doing some other work tasks at my desk.  Some of the music was quite striking and interesting to listen to, so I branched out from there.  https://www.jazz24.org/ on the web but you can also search for them on my Internet Radio apps on your streamer.  I liked them enough I contributed to their annual fund.