Jester Hairston, a multifaceted artist, excelled as a composer, songwriter, conductor, singer, and actor. His educational background was marked by stints at Tufts University, Juilliard, and the University of the Pacific, where he earned an honorary Doctor of Music degree.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Hairston had a thriving career in the entertainment industry. He began by acting on radio and television, as well as appearing in films. One of his most notable roles was that of Leroy on the popular "Amos 'n Andy" radio series, a position he held for an impressive 15 years.
Hairston's talents extended beyond acting, as he also directed the Federal Theatre Project and served as the assistant conductor of the renowned Hall Johnson Choir in New York for 15 years. He honed his skills by training choirs for radio and Broadway musicals.
In 1936, Hairston made the move to Hollywood, where he sang and appeared alongside the Hall Johnson Choir in the film "The Green Pastures." Two years later, he organized his own choir and began arranging and conducting film background music. He also conducted choral groups in colleges and high schools, and even toured Europe on behalf of the State Department in 1961.
Hairston's contributions to the music world were recognized by his membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP),which he joined in 1956. He is perhaps best known for his popular song compositions, including "Mary's Boy Child," "Poor Man Lazarus," and many Gospel songs, such as "In Dat Great Gittin'-Up Mornin'," "Amen," and "Gossip, Gossip."
