Can you recommend Jazz for some one that doesn't like Jazz?


Let me explain, I have tried to like jazz for over 30 years. I rarely find something I like. To me it sounds too disjointed, like everyone is trying to out do the others and they are all playing a different song. I know there has to be some good instrumental smooth jazz artists I am missing. If you have any suggestions of whom to try let me know. Some that are on my Jazz playlist is Pat Metheny-"It's for you"   Bill Frisell _"Heard it through the grapevine"  Holly Cole, George Benson... for an example of things I do like.

 

I'd love to have a 100 song Jazz playlist. So what'ch got for me?

Thanks

128x128fthompson251

Jeez, not a lot of love for the "classics" here. ;-)

I'm a big-band and swing guy myself, but I enjoy a lot of "modern" jazz that is tuneful and swings.  Here are what are considered some pretty classic albums and some of my favorites:

Dave Brubeck - Time Out

Jimmy Giuffre - The Jimmy Giuffre 3

John Lewis - Grand Encounter

Charles Mingus - Blues & Roots

Duke Ellington - The Great Paris Concert

Rahsaan Roland Kirk - I Talk With the Spirits

Stan Getz and Jimmy Rowles - The Peacocks

Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Ben Webster - At the Renaissance

Oscar Peterson - Girl Talk (Exclusively for My Friends)

Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster

Sarah Vaughn - Sarah Vaughn (with Clifford Brown, 1954)

Dinah Washington - Dinah Jams

Billie Holiday - Recital (Verve, 1952)

That's just off the top of my head.

 

This album just came out this month, and I think it's an incredible jazz album for anyone who doesn't like jazz. You just have to hear this.

Jeff Parker - The Way Out of Easy