John Henry Hammond II (Born Manhattan, New York City, December 15, 1910 - Died Manhattan, New York City, July 10, 1987) was an American talent scout and producer, whose achievements in the record business will never be surpassed. As well as producing several significant American musical icons, he was a civil rights activist, a music critic, a philanthropist, and had a career that spanned six decades. His name is synonymous with Columbia Records (now Sony Records), and with artists from Billie Holliday to Stevie Ray Vaughan.