Jazz for someone who doesn't like jazz.

2nd Herbie Hancock Headhunter and Donald Byrd Blackbird as easy to listen to, if you like female vocalists check out Cold blood, Lydia Pense singing "I’m a good woman"
Always thought John Mayall’s Turning point was more jazz than the blues he is known for, lots of great stuff on offer but none of those 3 mentioned above are way out there
good listening ,be safe.
frothy
tune on John Mayall LP to check out is "California"

• "If you really hate jazz, listen to Kenny G. Every real jazz musician and jazz fan hates Kenny G."

I agree. However, I saw Kenny G. on the old Arcineo Hall show one night when he played without all of the electronics and digital reverb. The guy sounded fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised.  

Frank

Thanks again guys. This is why I always come back to Audiogon, even when I've been gone for a while. You guys have given me days of listening "assignments". Random thoughts so far:

I like Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Easy to listen to. Heard some of it before. But it isn't pulling me in deep. I will keep listening. Often my favorite music takes a while to hook me.

Listening to Ronnie Earl right now. I dig it but if no one had told me I would have just called it straight up blues.


Great idea about the Ken Burns documentary. I've watched quite a few episodes of the country music documentary and enjoyed them all even though I don't like country music. So the one on jazz should be perfect for someone who is trying to develop a taste for it. I wish he would do a full series on the blues!

Still exploring Marcus Miller. Some of it is too funky for me.

Listened to some of Brubeck's Time Out. Recognized a lot of those songs. Will definitely go back to that.

For some reason I find I'm not into female vocals much. Its never been a conscious thing. But, even looking back at my current music collection there just aren't a lot of female vocalists. I do like Nina Simone but for whatever reason some of the other female vocalists recommended here just don't do it for me.

Anyway, looking forward to moving down through these recommendations and again, I sincerely appreciate them.
George

Regarding female jazz vocalists, give Sophie Millman a shot. 

@n80 
"Listening to Ronnie Earl right now. I dig it but if no one had told me I would have just called it straight up blues"

There are many categories of Blues just like Jazz or any genre.

I absolutely love Ronnie Earls music, and I would place him in the Jazz/Blues, or Blues/Jazz, or straight up Blues if you wish.

Ronnie is one of the most under-rated Blues guitarists in the world! Kudos to him!