John Hammond: Discovering Musical Talent — White and Black

JOHN HAMMOND is a rare figure in the American recording industry. In an industry that worships last year's trends, Mr. Hammond discovered such original artists as Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. In an industry that often caters to a segregated America, Mr. Hammond campaigned hard for integrated label rosters and convinced Benny Goodman to lead the first interracial jazz band on record.