Jazz for someone who doesn't like jazz.

If guitar then: Mike Stern "Upside Downside"

I believe it meets the "accessibility" and some tracks the "easy listening" criteria / definition that posters have alluded to.

Start with the 'Mood Swings' track to see if it appeals to you.

(note: in case it hasn’t been previously mentioned)

Dr. John "Sun, Moon & Herbs"
A little crazy, a little gris gris, a little swamp boogie, and then some. 😊
Side 2, first track, great bass drum thumps (on LP at least) et al.
Michélle 🇿🇦

David_Ten, Good suggestion regarding using the instrument to move forward. Though not suggested to me, that's basically how I picked it up, with Sax players replacing guitarist and off you go.

Also the Stern suggestion was nice. 

Thanks again guys. I'm still following the various suggestions being given in this thread.

@david_ten , listening to Mike Stern right now.

As far as an update, well, I've been listening to all the various suggestions I've gotten in this thread and I've watched the entire Ken Burns Jazz documentary which I really enjoyed.

I have been exploring jazz for about 2 months now. I definitely have a better understanding of jazz and its various forms. I have a better understanding of its history. I have a much better appreciation for the whole genre and what its all about. I have enjoyed a lot of what I've listened to.


However, I'm almost embarrassed to say that I'm not hooked yet. I say 'yet' because I'm not done trying and maybe it will come. As I've said before, some of my favorite songs/albums across various music types are ones that it took a long time to appreciate. So I'm not giving up.

I had a strange experience with Coltrane's Love Supreme. In the Burns documentary one of the Marsalis brothers, I think it was Branford, talked about how hearing that album for the first time was a transformative, life changing experience. He was practically addicted to the album. So I immediately listened to it. I didn't get it. I didn't hate it, but it certainly didn't draw me in.......but, after it was over, I got a feeling that I understood what he was trying to say, vaguely at best, but still, there was something there. I listened to it again and that feeling did not grow. Not something I could put my finger on but also not 'nothing'. I've listened to it a couple of more times and I still haven't developed a greater appreciation for it. But, I'm going to continue to give it a listen every now and then.

Maybe something will click.

@acman3  Thank you!

Since you are active on the 'Jazz for Aficionados' Thread, perhaps you (or others that have posted here) can answer the following:

One aspect that really stood out as 'Missing' in the recommendations and posts in this thread was North European / Scandinavian Jazz (~~~ the ECM artists...).

Thoughts on the reasons?  Thank you.