Ir was my first experiences with good audio circa 1980 that got me out of listening to only pop and rock music, and I too enjoyed Spyro Gyra, Weather Report, John Klemmer and Herbie Hancock.
About 20 years later, I took some jazz piano lessons some years ago, by a very old school musician/composer/professor who asked me what kind of jazz music I liked.
I mentioned a few things which others have mentioned above, including Vince Guaraldi.
I will never forget the embarrassment I felt when he looked at me and said: "That's NOT jazz!"
Since his remark, I discovered and more thoroughly explored Miles Davis and in particular Kind of Blue.
I also enjoy my audiophile classics which I now understand to be "contemporary instrumental music."
For a more profound understanding of what "jazz" really means, check out the DVD of Herbie Hancock collaborating with pop stars including Christina Aguilera and John Mayer.
It is a mesmerizing thing to watch, and during various interviews, Herbie explains that Miles said it was OK to practice, but just make sure that they did NOT do whatever they did practicing when they were on stage.
Anything rehearsed also was not "jazz".
cheers,
cwlondon
