What are "Standard Tunes" in Jazz? Where do they typically originate from?

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Hey friend! Let's talk about "Standards" in jazz - that’s a great question and a key that unlocks the world of jazz music.

What are "Standards" in jazz?

Simply put, "Standards" are well-known tunes widely recognized within the jazz community.

Think of them as the "common language" for jazz musicians, or like popular moves openly used in an open "playbook." When jazz musicians who've never met gather for a jam session, if someone calls out a tune name like "Autumn Leaves," everyone immediately understands and can start playing together.

A "Standard" typically consists of two core parts:

A beautiful, highly recognizable melody: The part you can hum along to.
A fixed chord progression: This is the "skeleton" of the piece, dictating how the chords supporting the melody should change.

The essence of jazz lies in improvisation. Musicians first play the familiar melody together. Then, taking turns, they each improvise by creating their own unique melody lines over this fixed chordal "skeleton." Finally, they return to play the main melody again to finish the piece.

Therefore, "Standards" act like agreed-upon rules and a map. They provide a common starting point and framework, allowing musicians to converse freely and unleash their creativity within it.

So where do these "Standards" come from?

Their origins are quite diverse, mainly falling into these categories, like a great treasure trove:

1. Broadway Musicals and Film Classics (The Great American Songbook)

This is, without question, the largest source of "Standards!" From the 1920s to the 1950s, Broadway musicals and Hollywood films were the heart of American popular music. Great composers like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern created a wealth of melodically beautiful and harmonically rich songs.

These songs were originally pop tunes, but because their musical structure was so excellent, they proved perfect for jazz musicians to reinterpret and improvise over. They were widely "borrowed" and, over time, became absorbed into the jazz repertoire.

Iconic Examples:
- Summertime (from the opera Porgy and Bess)
- My Funny Valentine (from the musical Babes in Arms)
- Autumn Leaves (a French chanson adapted with English lyrics that became popular in the US)
- All the Things You Are

2. Original Compositions by Jazz Musicians

Many "Standards" were themselves written by legendary jazz artists. These tunes are inherently imbued with a strong jazz sensibility. Because they became so iconic, they were repeatedly played and studied by later generations, elevating them to "Standard" status.

Iconic Examples:
- Take the 'A' Train - The signature tune of Duke Ellington's orchestra.
- 'Round Midnight - Composed by Thelonious Monk, likely the most recorded jazz piece in history.
- Confirmation - Written by Charlie Parker, a classic of Bebop style.
- Blue Bossa - Written by Kenny Dorham, known for its simple, beautiful melody, often a staple for beginners.

3. Early Blues and Ragtime

During jazz's formative years, structurally simple 12-bar blues pieces or earlier ragtime tunes also gained foundational status and became part of the standard repertoire.

Iconic Examples:
- St. Louis Blues
- When the Saints Go Marching In

4. "New Arrivals" from Latin America – Bossa Nova, etc.

In the 1960s, Bossa Nova from Brazil captivated the world. Its relaxed, romantic rhythms and melodies blended perfectly with jazz. Many Bossa Nova classics naturally joined the "Standard" family.

Iconic Examples:
- The Girl from Ipanema - Composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim, hailed as the "Father of Bossa Nova."
- Desafinado
- Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)

To summarize

"Standards" are the "greatest hits playlist" of jazz. They serve as a bridge for communication between musicians and a proving ground for improvisational creativity. They primarily originate from classic musicals, films, original works by jazz masters, and excellent pieces from other genres.

So, the next time you hear a familiar melody being creatively explored by jazz musicians, you're likely listening to a "Standard!" Hope this explanation hits all the right notes for you!