Can you recommend Jazz for some one that doesn't like Jazz?

@coltrane1 Speaking of things Southern, The Crusaders, Southern Comfort

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfJndz0utgOP3AovkMj0ycEuOptoTOzGf

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.   

I enjoy Herbie Hancock!

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.

@fthompson251  When someone is not the greatest composer (just doesn't have it in his head, it takes some smarts, y'know), all he can do is try and showcase what a instrument specialist he is. 

It's not unique to Jazz.

Take for example two of the most talented guitar players in the world today, Joe Satriani (also a phenomenal composer), Steve Vai (just an instrument specialist and that's about it, meh).

Once upon a time (a long time ago) when i was a student in college, my part time job was being the cheap pianist on hire for the dance department. I would observe the cheerleader greek types and the more artistic types that showed up in the ballet, modern, jazz, etc classes. Both categories could have the same physical aptitude, i.e., you give them a choreography and they can execute it.... but, ask the cheerleaders to choreograph something of their own, chop chop, it just didn't show up in their heads, the aptitude isn't there, y'know, it takes some smarts. The other category, the ones with some smarts and true artistic muse are the ones who may end up in chicago ballet, etc.

I don't like jazz either.

But, umm, try a couple of these tracks from this Scandinavian guy and pretend its not jazz perhaps, keep the subwoofer on...

Sven Wunder - Lunar Distance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fISxqrcI7mI

Sven Wunder - Sundown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdNBkFKfbA8

If it didn't work, just move on to indie rock or a wind ensemble or something else.

You don't have to say you love jazz for extra audiophile street cred (or something, y'know). If ya don't like it, ya don't like it.... there are plenty of genres out there.

@coltrane1

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.

I think those of us who play instruments have a much more developed ear for music in general. I agree that this can be a big help.

@saboros

Agreed. Wayne Shorter’s Blue Note recordings were in fact my first non-fusion Jazz record purchases. Believe it or not, I bought them because of the cool cover art! Then I played them and fell in love. Those Shorter albums are still favorites of mine. And, his very first Blue Note "Night Dreamer" is perhaps the most accessible, because the heads are so simple and easily hummable.

@tyray

FYI: Jaimo PLAYED with James Brown ! ! !

In the liner notes of one of the "Kind of Blue" reissues (can’t keep ’em all straight) there are quotes from Duane Allman about his love for Miles. He loved Coltrane, too. In high school, we used to stay up all night listening to music and the Fillmore album was in heavy rotation. I can still sing along to long stretches of the solos on Whippin’ Post and Elizabeth Reed. That music is deeply embedded in my brain!