Jazz isn’t for everyone. Which is why so few in America purchase it. I believe that’s because most haven’t developed an ear to appreciate it. And yes, it helps if you’ve played an instrument to give you greater technical understanding. However, there are many artists you’d probably truly enjoy if you heard them.
I prefer, sax, trumpet, piano, guitar, the vibes. I play piano, flugelhorn, and guitar. But you don’t have to be a jazz nerd like myself to develop an appreciation for it. That’s what you’re striving to do.
Try these:
The Crusaders - Free as The Wind album, from 1976
and their Live at the Roxy album, from 1975. That’s easy listening enough.
As been said, any Wes Montgomery CTI album, especially Bumpin and Bumpin on Sunset.
Miles Davis’ album Working with the Quintet, a classic album from 1955 and its beautiful ballad It Never Entered My Mind is a show stopper. In fact it was that album that got him signed to Columbia Records as a comeback musician after a stint with drugs. I don’t judge anyone for we as a society have a huge problem with alcohol addiction.
Dianna Krall, a pianist and singer has a huge following. I’m more impressed with her early work from the 90’s to 2005.
That’s a good start. But don’t give up on the genre. You simply haven’t listened to what appeals to you yet. And you won’t know until you listen a lot. That’s what most of us have done for many decades. Personally, I grew up on jazz, soul, and all of the 60’s popular music because that’s either what was on the radio or played at home by my parents. Enjoy the journey.