Jazz standards are musical compositions widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz artists as part of the genre's musical repertoire. These standards originate from Broadway shows, Hollywood films, and the American popular songbook. However, many jazz standards were composed by some of jazz music's most prominent and influential figures, such as Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter, and have become a part of jazz music's canon.

Jazz standards often have a 32-bar structure and an AABA song form and use the chords, melodies, and harmonies of popular songs of the time. The lyrics, if present, are usually written by a separate lyricist, and the theme is often adapted by the jazz musician who performs it.

Jazz standards have been a widespread practice since the 1940s and 1950s, with many jazz musicians recording and performing them in live shows. They serve as a common ground for jazz musicians, allowing them to communicate musically with one another through a shared language of familiar songs. Jazz standards also provide a way for jazz musicians to showcase their style and technique through their interpretation of the familiar song.

Jazz standards have significantly impacted popular music and culture, with many of them becoming well-known to general audiences. Some of the most prominent jazz standards include "Take the A Train" by Duke Ellington, "Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk, "All of Me" by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks, "What a Wonderful World" by George David Weiss, and Bob Thiele, and "Misty" by Erroll Garner.

In conclusion, jazz standards are an integral part of the jazz genre, serving as a common ground for jazz musicians and a way for them to showcase their styles. These compositions have significantly impacted popular music and culture and continue to be widely known and performed by jazz artists today.