Hi Dave,
Very kind words - again, I am grateful, thank you. I stop far short of calling myself a jazz player, because real jazz guitarists have a great deal more technique and repertoire than I. I have always used jazz as a flavoring in my playing and writing rather than an anchor, if that makes sense. I also just don't have the patience or interest to memorize the changes to dozens of 40-60 year old tunes, however great they may be. I am too lazy and I live more in the moment. :toothy10:
How to get started is really like any other kind of music. You listen a whole lot to different artists, discover branches that interest you, and explore from there. You learn some of the musical language, which is big on extended triad harmony and altered chord tones. And of course, you practice playing what you hear in real time: improvising. This can be done to almost any kind of music. For relaxation, I often do this to what some call downtempo or "chillout" music. It's got a groove and lots of textural variety, but often simple harmonic content.
I started more with the pop and fusion sides of jazz - bands like Weather Report, Manhattan Transfer, Pat Metheny Group, Return To Forever, early Spyro Gyra, etc. - back in the middle 1980's. Those bands had a combination of improv, jazz harmonic language, power, and groove. I wasn't that interested in swing at that time. So I kind of absorbed those elements and gradually, over many years, developed some sort of style. My listening expanded to many other things, especially Brazilian music, flamenco, and smooth electronica.
I also recommend the software Band In A Box, from PG Music. It is a great practice tool for improvising along with backing tracks. I have a gazillion jazz standards that I've found on the net. Mostly though, I think that if you have an ear for it and an interest, then all you need is exposure and time. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.
Peace -
Roger