I love jazz because it is emotional & academic all at the same time............. I was first exposed to jazz at 14 when I saw Oscar Peterson on TV.. after that, I was hooked. I met Count Basie when I was 17 years old when he did a concert at my high school. . What a dignified Personality! The best show I ever attended was Cannonball Adderly... The first jazz record I bought was Listen Here by Eddie Harris... My advice to new listeners...LISTEN!....LISTEN....LISTEN....