I started paging through encyclopedias 25 years ago, and got hold of recordings that sounded interesting. I started to pick out more and more in the music as my brain got attuned. The love affair is still going strong. I highly recommend these:

- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz - Case, Britt & Murray

- Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music - Donald Clarke (Editor)

Donald Clarke in particular has an infectious enthusiasm. The first Jazz album that really grabbed me was one of his recommendations: "Blue and Sentimental" by Ike Quebec.