What do I need to do in order to start appreciating jazz more?

Listen, and pay attention. Don't use it as background music

If you don't mind me asking, OP. Why do you want to appreciate jazz?

It's not one's duty to like all jazz. Personally, I don't really dig free/spiritual and jazz-rock. I like some latin fusion tho... but not Bossa Nova

get a cheap keyboard

I would recommend the more accessible (but good) stuff like:

Stan Getz (cool jazz)
Duke Ellington (big band / swing)
early 60s Freddie Hubbard (hard bop)

and then get into the tougher genres (for me) like bebop, spiritual/free jazz

going chronologically would also be good, but going straight for the weird improv stuff might be tough

i don't think you need to play or know a ton of theory to enjoy it, but it definitely adds another layer on which you can appreciate it

First i'd say not to start with albert ayler

its seems like there are so many critically acclaimed jazz records out there, many of which I can't enjoy or even appreciate at the moment and I would like to change that

This. Just be actually conscious and open minded to what you're listening to, don't let yourself get distracted.

thanks, I'll give some of that a listen.

bump