Time Life Classic Jazz

THe Ken Burns set is actually quite good and has the merit of being cross-label compilations. You could start with the boxed set and then move on to the compilations of individual artists and that will set you on your why to finding some great albums and will eventually lead you to a lot of the great music and musicians that weren't included in the set. Take a look at the bookstore and read up and keep asking around. I would say that this is not at all a bad place to start as they give you a good sampling of some of the artists best work throughout their careers.
For someone starting to check out jazz this is a more reasonable place to start and learn the tradition of the music so that they can then move on to some of the more modern records like some of those listed on the Downbeat best of 2001. Finding the music that you like and relate to in any given style takes time, patience and exploration.
Good luck and have Fun!

Sorry .. didn't mean to take any cheap shots.

Clueless,

You were actually kind. The Time-Life stuff is mostly dreadful. Not only for content but also for production qaulity....or lack thereof. Doug, the suggestions of Chelillingworth were very good. Actually, many of the great jazz labels, Verve, Blue Note, CTI for example have excellent samplers themselves and offer superb production and liner notes for educating oneself.

A last offer on compilations which I usually am not a great fan of but are one way to find what you like. Try "The Best Blue Note Album in the World Ever!" It is really close to that. 2cd set and cd1 is an outstanding selection of classic jazz. Nothing inaccessable and great for someone new. CD1 includes tunes by Horace Silver, John Coltrne, Art Blakey, Lou Donaldson, Cannonball Adderly (with Miles Davis), Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd and Grant Green .. and all well produced. Try to beat that cast on one cd! I have never put this on without someone (usually a non jazz friend)asking "WHAT IS THAT?". (cd2 is ok too but can't compare with 1)

Thought on getting into Jazz ( or classical or whatever) as Chelillingworth noted, it takes some time and effort and it is easy to waste a lot of $$$$ on stuff you just don't like (even if the critics rave about it). Best long term solutions I have found:

1) Find the best Jazz programs on local Radio and listen up. Best free sampler around. Beats the snot out of Time-Life. If your computer is up to it there are great national and international stations available on line too.
2) You may not know it but odds are that you know or are acquainted with someone who has a great jazz collection. Make it a project to find em and shamelessly brownnose. There is nothing like borrowing from a great collection and believe me the collections are out there. I have found that the general rule is that jazz listeners love to share and talk about their music. You're doing them a favor borrowing their tunes! Good jazz deserves a few good listens before pronouncing judgment (it ain't am radio) and this is the best way to do it.

Ain't life Great!

It sure is!