Jester Hairston
Born in Belews Creek, North Carolina, USA — Jul 09 1901• Died Jan 18 2000
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Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jester 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 "Mary's 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 th…
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Jester Hairston's Credits
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Family Matters
William 'Skippy' Thomas
Rawhide
Zachariah
Harry O
Thriller
Papa Benjamin
The 20th Century Fox Hour
Gunsmoke
Wellington
Studio 57
Amen
Rolly Forbes
Nichols
Melville
That's My Mama
Wildcat
In the Heat of the Night
Endicott's Butler
To Kill a Mockingbird
Spence Robinson (uncredited)
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Pop
The Alamo
Jethro
Amos 'n' Andy
The Last Tycoon
Waiter in Stahr's Office (uncredited)
We're Not Married!
Lead Christmas Caroler (uncredited)
In This Our Life
Black Man in Jail (uncredited)
Across the Pacific
Passerby (uncredited)
Tarzan's Hidden Jungle
Witch Doctor
Finian's Rainbow
Passion Pilgrim Gospeller (uncredited)
Summer and Smoke
Thomas (uncredited)
Sundown
Native Boy (uncredited)
Lady Sings the Blues
The Butler
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Furry Taylor
Lilies of the Field
Homer Smith (singing voice) (uncredited)
So This Is Love
Preacher
John Wayne's 'The Alamo'
Jethro
Raymie
Ransom
Green Eyes
Dirk Dubeck
Gypsy Colt
Carl
The Green Pastures
Member of Hall Johnson Choir (uncredited)
Deep South
Writing
Pete Kelly's Blues
Mourner (uncredited)
The Vanishing Virginian
Sound
Yes Sir, Mr. Bones
Tanganyika