Jazz for someone who doesn't like jazz.

I suggest that you begin your jazz journey with some Dixieland.  In particular, try Evan Christopher, a clarinetist who plays updated (i.e., not the Preservation Hall style) New Orleans-style Dixieland.  His Clarinet Road Vol I:  The Road to New Orleans is a superb place to start, and Delta Bound and This Side of Evan are also good.

Have fun!

Unless you're riding in an elevator or on telephone hold, avoid smooth jazz. Most of it is neither smooth nor jazz.

I would throw Diana Krall in the mix.

Still don’t see what she saw in Elvis.

Thanks guys. Not checking out of the discussion but I'm down at my cabin with no internet access other than spotty cell data.

Lots to process here. Will be checking out a lot of the recommendations.

Some stuff is just immediately not for me. Other stuff catches my ear.

Amazon Music is actually working right now and we're listening to Marcus Miller's M2 album. The good news is that my wife actually likes this stuff. System at the cabin is a huge step down from home system but still sounds pretty good and she's digging it which is unusual.

A little more background: Without thinking about what is and isn't jazz, I've been familiar with Louis Armstrong for decades and have several albums mostly because my wife likes it. Also have a number of Nina Simone songs. Have a few Basie albums I never listen to but might now.

As I was talking to my wife about this (jazz) she reminded me of an older couple we have known for years who live downtown near us (small southern city near Charlotte) who is really into jazz. They often have musicians in their home to play for small groups and every year they have an intimate jazz event at a local venue with known (how well known I don't know) bands and musicians. My wife has wanted to go for years and we get invited every year but it is not cheap and I have always declined. Last year they had Noel Friedline, Maria Howell, and some others. Don't know who they are but Maria Howell seems marginally famous. Not sure who they will have next year. Cost is about $130 per person but includes dinner and drinks so maybe not that expensive.....considering what pop and rock tickets cost these days. The event is in December each year so maybe we'll go. It will make the wife happy anyway.
Thanks again for the intro and recommendations. Not sure I'm all in at this point but will continue to explore.
George

First time Listening to trombone shorty. He’s fantastic