"Jazz is known all over the world as an American musical art form and that's it. No America, no jazz. I've seen people try to connect it to other countries, for instance to Africa, but it doesn't have a damn thing to do with Africa"

Art Blakey's quote speaks to the importance of America in the development of jazz music. He stresses that without America, there would be no jazz. He also rejects the concept that jazz has any connection to Africa, regardless of some people's efforts to make that connection. This quote highlights the distinct cultural contributions of America to the world, and the importance of acknowledging the origins of jazz. It likewise works as a pointer that jazz is an American art kind, and that its roots are securely planted in the United States. Blakey's quote is an effective reminder of the value of America in the development of jazz, and the requirement to acknowledge and appreciate its special contributions to the world.