As a lifelong Jazz fan I've had an appreciation for the genre almost literally since I was first born. I grew up listening to Jazz, and I still love listening to it.
The Buddy Rich album is a great slice of Big Band Jazz with some 70's Rock and Funk influences thrown into the mix. It's a brilliant album with some amazing performances by several key members of the band (the entire band is tight, but Rich and the soloists are phenomenal).
Jeff Lashway's CD is a modern classic - if only more people knew about it. Lashway played piano for Maynard Ferguson, and this, his first solo album, is nearly flawless. It's a small group album that at times has nearly as much firepower as a big band, and at others has the finesse and space of a trio. It's a great, great album.
Chick Corea's first Akoustic Band album is an amazing example of how good a Jazz trio can be.
If you've got any Jazz favorites that you'd like to recommend, feel free...