From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJester Joseph Hairston (July 9, 1901 – January 18, 2000) was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor, and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on Negro spirituals and choral music. His notable compositions include Amen, a gospel-tinged theme from the film Lilies of the Field and a 1963 hit for The Impressions, and the Christmas song Marys Boy Child.He sang with the Hall Johnson Choir in Harlem for a time but was nearly fired from the all black choir because he had difficulty with the rural dialects that were used in some of the songs. He had to shed his Boston accent and relearn the country speech of his parents and grandparents. Johnson had told him, Were singing aint and caint and youre singing shahnt and cahnt and they dont mix in a spiritual. The Hall Johnson Choir performed in many Broadway shows including The Green Pastures. In 1936, they were asked to go to Hollywood to sing for the film The Green Pastures. At that time, a Russian composer, Dimitri Tiomkin, heard Jester and invited him to collaborate with him. This led to a thirty-year collaboration during which time Jester arranged and collected music for the movies. In 1939, Hairston married Margaret Swanigan. He also wrote and arranged spirituals for Hollywood films as well as for high school and college choirs around the country.Hairston wrote the song Marys Boy Child in 1956. He also arranged the song Amen, which he dubbed for the Sidney Poitier film Lilies of the Field, and arranged traditional Negro spirituals. Most of Hairstons film work was in the field of composing, arranging, and choral conducting. Hairston also acted in over 20 films, mostly in small roles, some of which were uncredited. Among the films he appeared in were bit parts in some of the early Tarzan movies, St. Louis Blues, The Alamo, To Kill a Mockingbird, In the Heat of the Night, Lady Sings the Blues, Im Gonna Git You Sucka and Being John Malkovich.In 1961, the US State Department appointed Jester Hairston as Goodwill Ambassador. He traveled all over the world teaching and performing the folk music of the slaves. In the 1960s he held choral festivals with public high school choirs, introducing them to Negro Spiritual music, and sometimes leading several hundred students in community performances. His banter about the history of the songs along with his engaging personality and sense of humor endeared him to many students.Hairston appeared on TVs The Amos n Andy Show. He had the role of Leroy on the radio program and as Henry Van Porter on the television program. He also played the role of Wildcat on the show Thats My Mama. In his senior years he appeared in the show Amen as Rolly Forbes. His last television appearance was in 1993 on an episode of Family Matters. Hairston also played the role of King Moses on radio for the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall show Bold Venture.Hairston died in Los Angeles of natural causes in 2000 at age 98. Born in 1901, Hairstons life spanned each year of the 20th century. For his contribution to the television industry, Hairston has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6201 Hollywood Blvd. He is interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.
Jethro
영화 1960
Passerby (uncredited)
영화 1942
Dirk Dubeck
영화 1977
Waiter in Stahr's Office (uncredited)
영화 1976
Witch Doctor
영화 1955
Preacher
영화 1953
Carl
영화 1954
Lead Christmas Caroler (uncredited)
영화 1952
The Butler
영화 1972
Thomas (uncredited)
영화 1961
영화 1954
Spence Robinson (uncredited)
영화 1962
Ransom
영화 1960
Member of Hall Johnson Choir (uncredited)
영화 1936
Endicott's Butler
영화 1967
Native Boy (uncredited)
영화 1941
영화 1951
Passion Pilgrim Gospeller (uncredited)
영화 1968
Black Man in Jail (uncredited)
영화 1942
Jethro
영화 1992
Mourner (uncredited)
영화 1955
Tv 1989
Rolly Forbes
Tv 1986
Tv 1974
Wildcat
Tv 1974
Tv 1951
Papa Benjamin
Tv 1960
Tv 1955
Tv 1954