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

@larryi

Still, it is hard to say what will connect with any one listener.

Yes. I’ve recommended music plenty of times to friends. Sometimes, they’re enthusiastic; other times, they show surprisingly (to me) little enthusiasm. There’s a lot that goes into our preferences and while we may be able to come up with objective rationales, I believe much of what drives them is unconscious.

Much as I’ve tried, I’ve never been able to handle Gato’s abrasive screeching. It’s like fingernails on a blackboard to my ears. On the other hand, there are other sax players whose altissimo overblowing doesn’t affect me in the same way. Why? Who knows?

@fthompson251

I am currently listening to some Billy Cobham, I remember listening to him late nights when I was in college. WLAV out of Grand Rapids MI. Also "Hey Joe" by Markusphillippe, Sweet Emotion by Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. Also "Heard it through the Grapevine" by Bill Frisell. This is stuff I like.

Now I’m really confused. When you bring up Aerosmith in a thread that’s ostensibly about Jazz, you’ve lost me! One of the main differences between Rock and Jazz is the latter's harmonic sophistication. Perhaps this is the stumbling block for you-- you can't actually hear what's going on. This would definitely make it difficult to appreciate Jazz. 

I second the Modern Jazz Quartet "The Last Concert" album."

@stuartk   look up that recording if you have a streaming service and you will understand-it's a cover but with quite a twist. Definitely Jazz!  

I often find it unfathomable that certain artists and albums are disliked by a lot of people.  I have a hard time trying to figure out why Eric Dolphy fits into the category of artist that some people truly don't like.  I would put the Mal Waldron/Eric Dolphy/Booker Evans "The Quest" album very high on a starter list for a jazz collection.  I cannot think of too may cuts more beautiful than "Warm Canto."  

As I mentioned before, you should start with a Blue Note compilation, such as "Best Blue Note Album in the World Ever" which is a two CD collection featuring many of their best artists.  If you don't find three or four tracks in that collection that you really connect with and enjoy, then jazz might not be for you.