Hi, Perfectimage. About 6-9 months ago, there were a number of threads about jazz recordings, and various members (me included) posted threads talking about what they thought were the "essential" jazz recordings. You might want to look in the A-gon archives for more on this topic.
Your idea to subscribe to the Time-Life series has merit, as it will acquaint you with a number of artists, as well as giving you samples of music you might otherwise not hear. You could also buy the CD's that were released earlier this year as part of Ken Burn's PBS documentary on jazz. Additionally, you might want to rent some or all of Ken Burn's documentary on jazz. Your public library may have this series, as well as Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.
My other suggestion is one that I have offered several times on this forum: buy a book called "Jazz Styles: History and Analysis", by Mark C. Gridley (published, as I recall, by Houghton Mifflin). His book is used widely as a text in college courses on jazz, and it is an excellent book. It is easy to read, not terribly technical, and will give you a real "jump start" on understanding and enjoying jazz, America's classical music. The book also contains a discography of recommended jazz recordings. The only downside is cost -- I think the book sells for about $60 (the price for college texts is obscene). Don't be put off by the idea the book is a text, because the book is neither dry nor particularly "academic" . Infact, I'll make you a "can't lose" proposition: if you buy the book and don't like it, I'll buy the book back from you and donate my earlier edition to the public library.
I have been a serious jazz buff for about 40 years, taught a course in jazz appreciation, and have about 3500 jazz recordings, so I'd be glad to play "mentor" if that would be helpful. If you'd like to drop me a personal E-mail, I'd be glad to talk more with you. You might also include your home phone number and I'll give you a call.
To close, the best recommendation I can make for your first jazz CD is Miles Davis' great recording, "Kind of Blue", which has been rated as the #1 jazz recording of all time in many jazz polls.
Your idea to subscribe to the Time-Life series has merit, as it will acquaint you with a number of artists, as well as giving you samples of music you might otherwise not hear. You could also buy the CD's that were released earlier this year as part of Ken Burn's PBS documentary on jazz. Additionally, you might want to rent some or all of Ken Burn's documentary on jazz. Your public library may have this series, as well as Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.
My other suggestion is one that I have offered several times on this forum: buy a book called "Jazz Styles: History and Analysis", by Mark C. Gridley (published, as I recall, by Houghton Mifflin). His book is used widely as a text in college courses on jazz, and it is an excellent book. It is easy to read, not terribly technical, and will give you a real "jump start" on understanding and enjoying jazz, America's classical music. The book also contains a discography of recommended jazz recordings. The only downside is cost -- I think the book sells for about $60 (the price for college texts is obscene). Don't be put off by the idea the book is a text, because the book is neither dry nor particularly "academic" . Infact, I'll make you a "can't lose" proposition: if you buy the book and don't like it, I'll buy the book back from you and donate my earlier edition to the public library.
I have been a serious jazz buff for about 40 years, taught a course in jazz appreciation, and have about 3500 jazz recordings, so I'd be glad to play "mentor" if that would be helpful. If you'd like to drop me a personal E-mail, I'd be glad to talk more with you. You might also include your home phone number and I'll give you a call.
To close, the best recommendation I can make for your first jazz CD is Miles Davis' great recording, "Kind of Blue", which has been rated as the #1 jazz recording of all time in many jazz polls.