Jazz Piano Trio / Spanish Guitar


Hello All,
I'm looking to broaden my musical pallet and I'd like to take some baby steps into jazz trios (piano, bass, drums). Please recommend some artists (groups?) that are easily accessible to virgin ears. I'd like to still hear a melodic line somewhere in the song, so nothing to avantgard or "free jazz"ish.... and of course sonic beauty is important as well, so I guess I'd be biased to more recent recordings.
I'm also looking for some recommendations of Spanish guitar artists. NO flamenco please, (yikes, too crazy for my tastes)..... just some beautiful Spanish guitar artists with albums that contain tracks that are solo guitar AND tracks with soft accompaniment.

"Momma let that boy play some rock and roll. Jazz is much too crazy, he can play that when he's old"

Guess I'm there, hehe :(
tgyeti
I'll take you a bit off the mainstream track here. Here are a few that I've found on my frequent rotation list on a regular basis. These selections tend towards the moody and sometimes darker, low-key. They are all outstanding recordings:

Achirana which is currently only available used but well worth the price of admission IMO.

Changing Places or anything by Tord Gustavsen Trio

For Spanish Guitar, I'd point you to a different flavor:

Try Carlos Paredes on the Portugese guitar. Very beautiful.

Of course you cannot go wrong with Andres Segovia.

Also, for a more modern interpretation, and I don't know that much about her, check out Milica Ilic. If you search out her video's on YouTube you can get a sense of her playing. Sadly not too much on recorded music from her, but her playing is beautiful, as is she.
Many, many good suggestions above. I'd add the following trios/quartets:

Bill Evans: Sunday at the Village Vanguard (a classic)
Marcus Roberts: The Truth is Spoken Here (his piano solo cd "Alone with Three Giants" is a special favorite)
Brad Mehldau: The Art of the Trio (various volumes)
Charles Lloyd: The Water is Wide (a beautiful work)

Have fun!
Jim Crane
The Lynne Arriale Trio.

She plays beautiful, lyrical piano in a trio that includes a very unique drummer whose playing is also almost melodic. This is not New-Age music though, it's definitely jazz.

Her first three albums on the DMP label are the place to start. She has gotten a little less accessible since then.

I recommend this artist to anyone who likes jazz piano, not just people looking for an entrance point into jazz. Read the reviews of her albums at Allmusic.com. I can't understand why this woman is not better known by jazzers.

Also, maybe she's been overlooked because she's so obvious, but if you don't like Diana Krall you probably won't like jazz piano.
Trio Cd's

"Jaquees Loussier Plays Bach Encore" TELARC
Ray Brown "Some of My Best Friends Are.....The Piano Players" TELARC

"Spanish" Guitar

John Williams "El Diablo Suelto" and anything John Williams
Jose Antonio Escobar" Guitar Recital"
Julian Breem anything he plays
Band called "The Triangle".
you can listen to it here and see if yo like it. Band called "The Triangle".

Also, check out Lynne Arriale Trio