Jazz recommendations for a beginner?

I would also suggest listening to "Kind of Blue" a few more times. You may find that, as you get used to the songs, it will grow on you. It's a superb album.

jd

Early jazz: Louis Armstrong,Hot Five/Hot Seven recordings.(The recordings suck,but that's ok;the music does not.)
Swing:Duke Ellington,Live at Newport.
Bop:Charles Parker,Ornithology
Cool:Miles Davis/Gil Evans,Birth of the Cool
Modern:Bill Evans,Sunday Afternoon at the Vanguard.
John Coltrane,My Favorite Things
Giant Steps
These should give you an idea of what kinds of jazz will appeal to you.
Mark C. Gridley's jazz history text is excellent.In it he includes a list of his recommended recordings.
Happy listening

I won't even get into the discussion of what is and isn't Jazz. Simply judging by the fact that you like Krall and Barber and did not care for Miles I would DEFINITELY go for Eva Cassidy as others have recommended. I like Songbird and Imagine and Live at Blues Alley.

Also no one's mentioned Jacintha. Try "Here's to Ben" and "Autumn Leaves"

Barber's "Modern Cool" would also be a good pick.

Holly Cole's fantastic album of Tom Waits tunes titled "Temptation" would be another great choice.

Marco

barber and krall are jazz like john tesh is progessive!

What kind of music do you currently prefer?