Standards, standardization, and the search for beauty

In brief

D. R. Esparza of Aleteia distinguishes between the concepts of a standard and standardization by comparing them to jazz music.

Esparza explains that jazz standards, such as Autumn Leaves and My Funny Valentine, serve as fixed structures that musicians learn. While the structures remain the same, different musicians like Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarrett play them in unique ways.