Джон Генри Хаммонд: Музыка өнерінің көшбасшысы және құқық қорғаушысы

American record producer, civil rights activist and music critic

John Henry Hammond Jr. (December 15, 1910 – July 10, 1987) was an American record producer, civil rights activist, and music critic active from the 1930s to the early 1980s. In his service as a talent scout, Hammond became one of the most influential figures in 20th century popular music. He is the father of blues musician John P. Hammond. Hammond was instrumental in sparking or furthering numerous musical careers, including those of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Charlie Christian, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Big Joe Turner, Pete Seeger, Babatunde Olatunji, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Freddie Green, Leonard Cohen, Arthur Russell, Jim Copp, Asha Puthli, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mike Bloomfield and Sonny Burke. He is also largely responsible for the revival of delta blues artist Robert Johnson's music.

Hammond recognized jazz music to have originated as an African American musical genre. When Hammond entered the jazz community, integration had not yet begun. Black and white musicians rarely played together and often the prestigious locations permitted only white audiences. Hammond remembers that before the 1920s, black musicians could always find jobs, even if they were low paying. After the instatement of Local 802, a union of professional musicians within New York City, Hammond saw more white people receiving jobs than black people. However, this did not stop the African American musicians. Through burlesque and record making, these musicians continued to be a presence. of complications of AIDS, which she had contracted from a blood transfusion. Hammond was distraught and died on July 10, 1987, after a series of strokes. It is said that he died listening to the music of Billie Holiday. Hammond received a Grammy Trustees Award for being credited with co producing a Bessie Smith reissue in 1971, and in 1986 was the inaugural recipient of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. Hammond's son, John P. Hammond, became an American blues musician. Prince's song "Avalanche" mentions Hammond in the lyric "Mr. John Hammond with his pen in hand Sayin' 'Sign your kingdom over to me and be known throughout the land!'"