Jamey Abersold is an acknowleged master teacher in this area. Read his free handbook:

http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/download/FQBK-handbook.pdf

It contains a lot of foundational music theory but there's also a lot of his philosophy on jazz, improvisation, and music in general.

Jamey Aebersold is an acknowledged master teacher in this area. Read his free handbook:

http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/download/FQBK-handbook.pdf

It contains a lot of foundational music theory and suggested listening, and explains his philosophy about jazz, improvisation, and music in general.