Given that you're looking for safe bets and a bit of education, I'd say get the
Ken Burns Jazz Box Set of comps (or at least used discs of artists you'd like to check out). They are quite decent primers.
I've seen no mention thus far of
Dizzy Gillespie who'd I'd put right there with Parker in essential bop. The Ken Burns comp of him (as well as the Parker one) is quite good too.