Ford Thompson Dabney (March 15, 1883 – June 6, 1958) was an influential American ragtime pianist, composer, and bandleader, particularly known for his contributions to early jazz and Broadway musical theater. Born in Washington, D.C., Dabney was educated at M Street High School and Armstrong Manual Training School. He received private music instruction from his father, John Wesley Dabney, and other notable musicians.

Dabney moved to New York City around 1901, where he became an integral part of the music scene, playing piano in society parlors and serving as the personal pianist for the president of Haiti from 1903 to 1906. He also performed in Europe before returning to the U.S. to co-found the Clef Club booking agency with James Reese Europe. Dabney and Europe were pivotal figures in the transition from ragtime to jazz.

From 1910 to 1912, Dabney owned a theater in Washington, D.C., featuring vaudeville and musical revues. He is best remembered for composing the jazz standard "That's Why They Call Me Shine" in 1910, a song that has been recorded extensively over the years. Dabney led the house band for Florenz Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic shows from 1914 to 1922 and recorded numerous pieces with his Syncopated Orchestra.

Despite his significant early contributions, Dabney's later years saw him shift focus to publishing and songwriting, and he gradually faded from the public eye. His recordings, largely unavailable since the 1920s, were recently reissued, highlighting his enduring impact on jazz and popular music. Dabney passed away in Manhattan in 1958, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in American music.