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

@fthompson251 

Good! ;-)  Now try Ben Webster at the Renaissance.  Another great live recording, captured on an improvised early stereo setup by Webster's record producer.

There have been some excellent comments about the nature of jazz and what to listen for.  I'm a somewhat conservative fan.  I like it when I can:

1) Recognize the tune, or at least the chord changes, which are typically based on a standard tune, like "I Got Rhythm" or "How High the Moon" or something like that.   Certain sets of "changes" can be inspiring for the soloist and allow him or her to create interesting and memorable improvisations.

2) Tap my foot!  Whether it's a ballad or an up-tempo number, the rhythm section really has to swing.  I'm not knocking other approaches to jazz, but I do like to be moved to dance around the room a bit. ;-)  It's worth bearing in mind that many, many fine jazz albums of the '50's and '60's were geared toward people having cocktails and dancing in their homes.  It was hard to sell a record you couldn't dance to!

Chet Baker’s last album (the documentary soundtrack) is the one album that made me stop detesting jazz as a genre.

I would also recommend Cortex.

@stuartk "Swiss Movement" Yes.Thx..Ah the wonders of the brain. Maybe I was "Trying to make it real compared to what."

I bought the original Proprius release of "Jazz at the Pawnshop."  I listened to it once and have never played it again.  The recording IS VERY GOOD and captures the feel of a live club sound.  But the style (sort of European swing) and performance was, for my taste, bland and uninteresting so I've not bothered to hear it again.  It is still in my collection, as I never get rid of anything. 

A new radio station : jazzNEO.org. Copy their URL and listen to their expertise. I go to their daily playlists and randomly explore as my knowledge continues to expand, a life long classical listener.