Jazz artists for late starter.

Remember, he doesn't like vocalists. (Hate to see someone miss so much good stuff, but...)

My apologies ... didn't notice that you DON'T care for vocalists. So a few more contemporary artists playing traditional "straight ahead" jazz: Terence Blanchard, John Faddis (has a very well-recorded, large ensemble, hybrid SACD entitled "Remembrances"), and young vibraphonist Stefon Harris.

A few I believe I haven't seen so far: Carla Bley (even if you don't like it, you should have heard Escalator Over The Hill once), Charlie Haden, Gary Burton, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Red Garland Quintet, John Patitucci, Dave Holland Quintet, Lounge Lizards, oh, and another spectacular drummer: Cindy Blackman.

You may also want to include examples of European jazz from a multitude of origins and influences. Without any claim for being complete or even a particularly well studied selection, I'd just throw in some unavoidable ones:

Django Reinhardt (sort of "founding father" of European jazz), Esbjorn Svensson Trio (ESP), Niels Orsted Pedersen, Nils Petter Molvaer (pure adrenaline), Hein van de Geyn (though I'm sorry to say, avoid the critically acclaimed latest record with Lee Konitz, which is terribly uninspired), Wolfgang Haffner, Albert Mangelsdorf, United Jazz+Rock Ensemble, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, Toots Thielemans, Bert Joris Quartet, Marc Moulin, Renaud Garcia-Fons Trio, Martial Solal, Eric Truffaz, Béla Szakcsi Lakatos, Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Jan Garbarek, Miroslav Vitous and Joe Zawinul (who have been living in the US for ages of course but always sound/ sounded, well, different somehow).

OK, next!

Guys, thanx for all your input with some great recommendations I am sure to increase my jazz collection with some of those mentioned.
My very aged father likes old school jazz ie Benny Goodman, gosh I am having trouble with the names coz when I was at home (long long time ago), I used to leave the house when the jazz came on, Louis Armstrong, buddy Rich, Gene Krupa,etc he has 100's of LP's and I am struggling with names here. The reason I do not care much for Vocals is I have always associated female vocals with the likes of Cleo Laine and Ella Fitzgerald, great at what they do ,just not to my liking.

Heard a Sarah Vaugn cd awhile ago (actually its in my collection, dunno how it got there, lurking between Marilyn Manson and The Clash, somebody is having a laugh with that cd, lol). I do not care for that type of singing.

Dave- I just like the music, being a piano player, I really
like and appreciate the way Bill Evans plays and the cd 'Trio 65' is excellent! a minor down side is the brushes, I love the snap of a stick hitting a snare drum. Brushes should be only used for painting walls,lol.
I have a Joshua Redman cd - 'Moodswing' and also
Branford Marsalis- 'Royal Garden Blues' in the cd collection, both a very good cd's. Gosh, I am almost a convert!
I will look upon the rooms with 'jazz' in a different light at the RMAF now. I think for the money I have got real corkers here!
Thanx again for you guys taking the time and trouble with a complete novice when it comes to Jazz.

For some great drumming, and a really good recording, try Duke Ellington's Big Four on the Pablo label. Its a quartet date, extremely well recorded with Louis Belson on sticks. Both cd and vinyl are nicely done and Pablos are usually very reasonable.

I can also second Art Pepper+Elevin (listening to side two right now). A smokin' early stereo recording. Not sure about the cd, but the Japanese vinyl is extraordinary.