To anyone who likes jazz...

What do you like about it? Believe me, I've listened to plenty of it, my stepdad being a jazz musician, and I can never really enjoy it. Am I missing something? If so, fill me in.

Not a big jazz fan, but.. what do you like about the music you like?

Music appreciation is HIGHLY subjective. :)

I guess I'm just curious, because the people who like it get SO passionate about it.

I'm a convert I guess - I used to not like it.

And I wouldn't say I'm passionate about it, but I like it sometimes.

Miles Davis - can't go wrong with that.

My favorite kind is like with the cool backround percussion with lots of cymbal.  Kind of like the background music in A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I love that instrumentation!

Because it makes me feel mellow and calm and sometimes I want to feel that way.

Loud brassy jazz on the other hand, jangles my nerves and so could only tolerate that for short spells.

Try to feel the beat of the music rather than trying to find a melody.

Either you get it or you don't.  No biggie.  I'm with hkellick; I think the idea that there is universal "good music" and "bad music" is sillyness.  Who are the elitists to discredit personal taste?

Its good to start with something that has a familiar melody.  Experimental Jazz can get pretty out there and almost uncomfortable to listen too.

I'd say start with Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (in my opinion) its one of the greatest albums ever, definately on my top 10.

You can try some Coltrane, can't go wrong there.

People who like Jazz can be quite snobby about it, and that is a huge turn off.  There is fun Jazz like Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz, you can't really go wrong with the girl from impenema.  But hey, everyone is allowed their opinion!

sqwish, go to amazon.com or deepdiscountcd.com where there are samples of the tracks.  Once there, check out The Rippingtons.  Welcome to the St. James Club is one of my favorites.  I don't think it's possible for anyone NOT to like The Rippingtons.  Jazz for everyone.  :)

Also try single instrument artists like Lionel Hampton (vibraphone), John Klemmer (VERY sexy saxophone), Earl Klugh (guitar), etc.

I understand your distate.  Lots of jazz is based on intended cacophony ... an unblending of the music that can put your nerves on edge.  I can only take that sort in small doses.

The sax is my favorite instrument.  I'm not a big fan of Jazz, but sometimes I enjoy listening to it.

I am much more a fan of the blues, myself. Jazz tends to put me to sleep. I do like old jazz though, from the 60's...brings the Rat pack to mind..:)

I'm a jazz lover, but I have also played the alto sax for about 7 years of my life. I just feel the music move---like in my gut or something.
alizus is right on...Stan Getz is fabulous, at least to me.
Perhaps you could try jazz with vocalists....that way the music has a theme to go with it. Michael Buble and Diana Krall are 2 of my new favs, but you can't go wrong with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

lol, I actually can't stand Frank Sinatra mainly because I don't really like the big band sound.  I think it's the horns.  Actually, I can't think of much horn based music that I like, which might be part of the problem...hopelesssemantic, I might try out some guitar jazz, that sounds interesting.  And alizus, I can usually be persuaded to listen to the Girl From Ipenema.  It brings back memories of a parody my stepdad did--

"Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipenema goes walking, and when she passes, she passes, she does not see me.  She needs glasses maybe."