Oh, this is one of the finest threads I have come across on any board. Not unlike the original poster, I was interested in starting a jazz collection, after having gone about as far as I could with a 2000, mostly R&R, LP collection from the mid 60's to the late-70's. As I have gotten older I have realized that my taste in music (and the sound from my system) have chnged dramatically.
The recommendations of SDCampbell, and some others, I have been "spot-on" for me.
Recent additions to my collection which I will reiterate and highly recommend are Bill Evans's "Undercurrent", Art Pepper's "Intensity", "Focus" by Stan Getz, and Erroll Garner's "Concert by the Sea". In addition, for those of you who like guitar, the Joe Pass, Jim Hall, and Wes Montgomery works are not to be missed!
Salut to you, SDCampbell!