Jazz artists for late starter.

Yeah guys, brushes and jazz go together like chalk and cheese.lol.
I am aware that a large percentage of Jazz does have the use of Brushes, I will just have to get used to the fact and enjoy (as I do) how and with what the musicians want to play with. The list of artists to check out is getting longer, and is very much appreciated for the uninitiated. I at a loss why the chap sold the cd's to me, although I am very glad he did, they are all (for me) excellent and as I have said am really getting a kick discovering this virgin territory.
I suppose one could really buy any cd that Oscar Peterson did eh?
Just found 'Skol' amongst the lot with Peterson, Pass & Grapelli, track 2 'How about you'
sounds Jazz right.

Guys, thanx for all your input with some great recommendations I am sure to increase my jazz collection with some of those mentioned.
My very aged father likes old school jazz ie Benny Goodman, gosh I am having trouble with the names coz when I was at home (long long time ago), I used to leave the house when the jazz came on, Louis Armstrong, buddy Rich, Gene Krupa,etc he has 100's of LP's and I am struggling with names here. The reason I do not care much for Vocals is I have always associated female vocals with the likes of Cleo Laine and Ella Fitzgerald, great at what they do ,just not to my liking.

Heard a Sarah Vaugn cd awhile ago (actually its in my collection, dunno how it got there, lurking between Marilyn Manson and The Clash, somebody is having a laugh with that cd, lol). I do not care for that type of singing.

Dave- I just like the music, being a piano player, I really
like and appreciate the way Bill Evans plays and the cd 'Trio 65' is excellent! a minor down side is the brushes, I love the snap of a stick hitting a snare drum. Brushes should be only used for painting walls,lol.
I have a Joshua Redman cd - 'Moodswing' and also
Branford Marsalis- 'Royal Garden Blues' in the cd collection, both a very good cd's. Gosh, I am almost a convert!
I will look upon the rooms with 'jazz' in a different light at the RMAF now. I think for the money I have got real corkers here!
Thanx again for you guys taking the time and trouble with a complete novice when it comes to Jazz.

Folks, I will try and listen to all that have been recommended, dead or alive.
I thought for $120 you can't really go wrong for 65 cd's.
Here is the list of the Miles Davis cd's;

Sketches of Spain
Birth of the Cool
Jazz at the Plaza
Volume 1
The Columbia Years 1955-1985
Miles Smiles
What I Say?
Blue Miles
Blue Haze
A Tribute to Miles (not strictly him)

And another from my collection that I just stumbled across
Panthalassa....... Hits keep on coming!

I love Avant-garde, any quirky and out of the ordinary floats my boat.

Hi Guys, my jazz artist plea for help has brought out some really Interesting 'points' for discussion from all you guys. Music is always fun for me, I listen and if I like I keep listening, if I don't like then I simply stop listening.
Music is as been argued here a very personal thing. There is no right from wrong. All music is good, its the listener who decides. I do not care whether artist 'a' is dead or artist 'b' is still alive. If there is a cd then It will get airplay, as I have already said it either plays, or I turn it off. Usually It plays because my musical range spans virtually every/most genres, even Jazz now! lol
If I discounted all the classical composers from my collection It would be less than It is for my Jazz collection! Might please the other half as she thinks my cd collection be culled. NEVER! I have quite a lot now that a few more (lots more) isn't really going to get noticed! lol
I have and like very much Bela Fleck.
I am also (deep breath) going to get some cd's from the library with (large intake of air) vocals on!

jfz- this hobby got expensive a long long time ago.lol
Its a great way of spending money though for the sheer enjoyment, I mean for a mere $16 (or less) you can get 70mins of an artists 'soul' literally forever.
Longer than the artist. The memory lives on!

Tried to listen to Dianne Reeves. Just can't get my head to like that style of singing. There is no doubting her quality of voice though.