Just wanted to chime in here. I was fortunate enough to get to have history of Jazz with one of the guys that used to play with Harry James back in the day. It's amazing how much stuff used to happen behind the scenes.

I have to say, Miles Davis Kinda Blue is beyond brilliant. But it's really hard to listen to, it's just so cool that you really need to turn out the lights and throw on a pair of good quality head phones to really appreciate.

Billie Holiday - Blue Billie is a really good record.
Artie Shaw - Begin the Beguine
Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing
Gene Krupa - Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements
Count Bassie - Chairman of the board
Duke Ellington - Millenium collection.

You go with any of those and they're pretty accessible, while still being worth a listen. I'm not as familiar, but the Dorsey brothers are usually worth checking out as well.

I am sad that no one has mentioned Django Reinhardt.

Frank Zappa - Jazz from Hell

I looooove Bitches Brew.

I second this. Miles Davis Kind of Blue and Mingus A Um are the best and definitive works of those two guys.

If you're into funk and jazz fusion, Herbie Hancock is ridiculously awesome

I dunno if anyone will bother with this guy, but... Yuji Ohno.

He's Japanese. The lead composer for most of the Lupin III movies, TV shows and specials. He's also made some awesome jazz albums in his spare time.

Blleeeehhhh have been drinking black russians, thread attracted and subsequent listings, while good, seem dated.

Bill Evans, village vanguard stuff is great. But is similar to other suggestiong, so I will move forward:

Tord Gustavsen Trio - The ground/Being There
Tomasz Stanko Quartet - Suspended Night

Movign out of piano/trumpet driven...
Kayhan Kalhor - The Wind (maybe not jazz, but it's there if you search)

Wait, come back to the western....
Bill Frisell - East/West (purists will decry as jazz, but hits well)

Pat Metheny - Missouri Sky/Watercolors/Bright Size Life/Live PM Trio Album
SO GOOD!

More EMG:
Arild Andersen - Triangle

Marcel Khalife - Jadal. Is not "jazz", but keep your mind fluid.
With that, check out Anouar Brahem. One of my top three artists, found due to jazz, is not jazz.

See a live Pierre Bensusan concert!

EDIT:
Thread is fun! Stanko @ Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H51xGk0lMwk
(is very Kind of Blue)
Tord ( is piano drive, but more than this link contains!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpGyv-hxm20&feature=related
Pat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVRIR5yflAg

Bohren and Der Club of Gore
or
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble

if you want your jazz darker or somewhat different...

That seems interesting.

Email me... dane macmahon at yahoo dot com, no spaces.