As a student teacher in college, I was Jester’s chauffeur at a weekend choral festival in 1977 at Longview, Texas. Every night he asked me to come in his room for a few minutes. His routine was the same every night. He got his PJs on, laid out all of his various prescribed medications, lay down in bed, and call his wife. He always wanted me to stay long enough to talk to his wife and reassure her that he took every pill. Then he would ask me to stay a little longer and visit. Actually, he just needed someone to talk to. So I listened as he closed his eyes and the stories began to flow! Yes, his music, acting, conducting was impeccable, but he was the most incredible human I’ve ever met.
I don't check my site very often but thank you for this. I have tried to honor his life now for over 30 years. I produced a documentary film (you can see on this channel, a multi-media book in the Apple Bookstore, and now a broadway musical I am trying to get produced. He was an incredible man.
How fortunate you were to have had such a close interaction with Mr. Hairston! When I was in high school in California (nearly 50 years ago), I sang in the Jester Hairston festivals. I loved the songs and the arrangements. But most of all I loved the camaraderie of the gatherings- hundreds of teenagers, all joined together, with Jester leading us in song. He was an amazing man- such charisma and love for humanity!
While my papa was young i do miss him telling stories of his father whom I never had the honor of meeting. My papa passed last year (2023) and it’s still fresh I wish I could call him up and talk for a couple of hours about NOTHING
I dont miss it at all. My 83 and 84 yr old grandparents moved in with me about 2 years ago. He loves to talk and Ive always thought I should be recording it and putting it on YT. Hes such a good storyteller also.
Based on what he said. His birthday was July 9, 1901 and he would be 92 that year and we are in 2024. My calculations say that this was filmed 31 years ago. Rest well Mr. Gentlemen.
I WAS GOING TO SAY... GRADUATED COLLEGE IN 1929???? HOW OLD IS THIS? THEY CAN'T STILL BE AROUND IN 2024, CAN THEY? THE PICTURE QUALITY IS GREAT, BUT THIS HAS TO BE OLD. YOU NEVER KNOW THOUGH. SOME PEOPLE ARE 120 NOW, BUT NOT IN IN AS GREAT SHAPE AS THESE TWO ARE SITTING ON THE STEPS.
@ebonyoverstreet6726 I think she meant the song Amen and not the theme song to the show. Two different songs. Amen was made famous in the movie Lillie of the Fields.
@@rahfredajordan5647 must have been a memorable experience to know someone who was actually in chattel slavery. When we think about it those days were not that long ago they're only a parent or grandparent away. Please! I would love to hear more. Did he talk about those days at all with you guys. His testimony is priceless. And thanks for that little piece that you've already shared.
There would be not hate if they would give us reparations for building the wealth of the US. The two survivors of the Tulsa Oklahoma massacre who are 109 are still in court fighting to get recompense for the STEALING and destruction of their wealth. This is over when 🤚🏻do what is right😮💯
What beautiful souls they both had. I've heard that the Hairston Family is still close both black and white. I say bless them all with peace and tranquility.
This is interesting. I have Hoston and Hairston bloodlines. And Smith, Thompson, Hayes, Taylor, Carter, Looney, Womack, and more. I watch the news and other documentaries feeling like I am related to everybody. It disturbs me that people don't understand the connections. RU-vid has some gems.
@@triedntrueiam My family connections are from all over Europe and at least one passed through Jamestown in it's earliest years on his way to the Caribbean. We're all connected by now if you get right down to it. If your family was here before Ellis Island, we're probably related.
My family was the same when I was growing up. My paternal side was "owned" by the Roddenberry family...they were the ones who made the pickles and boiled peanuts (Peanut Patch) and syrups (Cane Patch) that were all over the south up until the 90s when they sold out. And yeah same distant family as Gene Roddenberry who created Star Trek. The family used to intermarry with the Andersons of South Carolina quite frequently. After the Civil War, they didn't allow the black people to use the name Roddenberry/Rodenberry/Roddenbery, so the black side took the name Anderson. My ggg grandfather moved down to Georgia with the Roddenberry family. When they moved, he moved. They helped my family get land, which we still own. All my dad's side worked at the plant producing the food and most retired from there. They all had land, houses, cars, and all. There was never an outward acknowledgement that we were related, but the way they made sure my family had assets and resources up to the 1990s was all the proof necessary.
@@themanifestorsmind Wow is all I can say. Most people don't realize slavery wasn't that long ago meaning our 3 rd generation of grandparents were slaves 😢. Therefore most of our great grandparents and grandparents were share croppers. Mind blowing.
The fact that he wasn’t a slave and he wasn’t a slave owner but became great friends is amazing..he followed this mans career even at their old age…neither one feels any hatred or entitlement about anything..just two friends catching up..
I used to love watching Rolly on "Amen" as a little girl. Don't know why this popped up in my feed, but im glad it did. I really enjoyed listening to them.🙏🏾💜
For those that have "Take me to Church," the famous "Amen" line comes from the song "Amen" by Jester Hairston and it was used for the movie "Lilies of the Field" in 1963. Otis Redding sang a cover and made his own version singing the "amen" line that inspired Hozier
Jester Hairston was the Great Grandfather of one of my best friends from elementary school till we graduated together, I used to love to watch him on the t.v. show Amen,he was born not to far from me,Belews Creek N.C!
From then, yes. Now the boomers are a completely different group. This reverence that we offered to their parents is lost now. That generation lost their purpose to their offspring due to integration. Sad. I grew up with older people and loved them. Now the elderly are just old, they are not elders.
Not sure how I happened upon this story but glad I did. What a blessing to be this alert and articulate at 92. Their shared history is part of the fabric of this country and an example of a positive friendship Great post. Rip .....🌺🪻🌹🌷🌷🌺
Oh my god, I am speechless. I just stumbled upon this video. The video looks as if it was taken 30 years ago. The man is 92!. walking , talking, sharp as day. And in great health...god, is good. What a wild story. Not, too many people can trace back their family's history.
@@MYBESTSOUNDSwell that's just click bate, The older man was born in 1901 slavery well gone by than .. his grandparents were the ones working on plantation ..
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 black spirituals and choral music.[1][2] His notable compositions include "Amen," a gospel-tinged theme from the film Lilies of the Field and a 1964 hit for the Impressions, and the Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child."
Young people today don't understand sitting and asking questions. Will some day be something they will regret they didn't do. I hate that I didn't ask questions about my dad's family.
I'm 42, and my mom is 61. I've recently wanted to start asking her questions. Just like what her favorite things are. Memories from her own childhood would be nice to hear. And then how things have changed throughout her life. I will take your advice. I'll try to get my kids to start asking and listening too. 💜
Those days are gone . Now everyone is taught hate especially in college. Division is emphasized , womanhood is reduced to a costume all under the guise of love and equality @cannkotlarz621
Respectfully he has no reason to show him any respect image being held hostage and then being friendly with those who held you captive not saying be violent but I wouldn't have anything good to say period he is completely brainwashed by the times 😢
He reminds me so much of my Parran. I was little and LOVED watching Amen. “Parran! I saw you on TV! You were on Amen!” He thought that was so funny because he was head deacon at our church and boy when he got on one knee and prayed on Sundays you could hear our history in his voice. It was like a hymn! Man I miss my elders.
As a high school student in the 60’s, I sang in the choir. Multiple high school choirs in California met at the university in Stockton. We had the wonderful experience of singing beautiful Spirituals together and being directed by Mr. Jester Hairston. I will never forget it!
I was in my high school choir and we sang at a musical festival in California in the early 1980s called Musi-cal where Jester Hairston was the musical director and we also sang Spirituals. It was an amazing experience!
These are some real life history lessons that should be watched in school. I am so touched by this video and interview with the genuine between these two gentlemen.
My great-grandmother raised me, was taking care of her parents as well. OOHHH, the stories I heard. As a teenager, when all my friends were hanging out and riding around on the weekends, I was playing rummy with my great-grandmother and her sisters listening to their stories from the 1920s.
Wow this video was amazing, ! Hello Family, My great-grand uncle was James Edward Harrison who married Lee Ana Gaines. I grew up less than 2 miles from Homestead, PA in West Mifflin.
@@Miodrag.Vukomanovic well Religion and faith are two different things to me..Religion is to me just something that you do repetitively and often..( Religiously). But faith is something different..so I sort of agree with you there..
I was thinking the same thing. I wouldn't have even known this existed if it hadn't shown up in my feed. It's interesting to learn more about Mr. Hairston.
Look at how kind they are to each other. The respect…the pathetic youth of today could learn something from it but they won’t. Colleges have taught them how to NOT learn anything of use…our elders are history books just waiting to be tapped. They need to be better protected in our country (elderly care ect) ❤️❤️❤️
@@BeautyInYOU583This old man have Stockholm syndrome. Nothing great about this. I'd never be friends with any man who owned my family during slavery. I will not be identifying with the slave master.( Stockholm syndrome)
Even if you did not know how accomplished and scholarly Mr. Hairston was, he still would have that dignified bearing and you'd treat him with respect. I wish someone would post the video of Jester telling Johnny Carson about legendary composer Dimitri Tiomkin offering him a job to do choral arrangements for the movies. Not PC, but I never saw Johnny laugh so hard. Jester just told it like it was.
I can't tell the difference between slave and Master. All I see is two old men sitting and chatting about the old days. The eyes of the Lord will set you free.
My great grandpa was born in 1903 and died in 2005 at 101 his dad was a slave and he used to talk about how white people were so hatful towards black people
You can take it as gospel , because I'm sure he spoke the truth . But he didn't witness it from the whole white race . We will always have both good & bad people from every race & country . But that shouldn't affect how we live & die ... just because a white person hates black people , doesn't mean all white people hate black people ...
@@tiffytwotimes I knew someone had to have inherited some of those amazing abilities Mr. Hairston had. Did your talent come in the form of: voice, piano, orchestral instruments other than piano, directing, etc. or all of...?? Please tell us; inquiring minds want to know. 🙂🙂🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
Mr. Hairston reminds me of my grandmother. She mentioned ONCE how she was (my words, not hers) "cheated" out of money supposedly deducted from her wages for social security. In the 1940s-1950s she worked as a maid and cook for a white family. There was no anger in her voice when she told me that story. She never spoke negatively of whites or anyone else.
My grandma just died a couple months ago, she was maid/nanny for some Jews. She was cheated out of Social Security as well. Mind you she worked for these people her whole working life, and they paid her peanuts. I’m pissed and I don’t care about all the let’s get along!
As a white male, growing up in an inner city project i always was fascinated listening to the older black neighbors and their stories. To this day, it saddens me to confront that part of America's past! I will never understand how Southerners back then considered themselves Christians!
What lovely old men! They were brought up under different circumstances yet you can tell despite the pigment difference they are very fond of each other! No hatred or animosity only respect for each other, lovely to see!I love hearing these old stories!
This goes to show how civil people who can put difference aside and get along just fine. today's societies look towards difference instead of similarities. We are all the same people, only different upbringing .
Wow! Hi family 😊 Jester was my great grandmother Inez first cousin! I remember meeting him at one of the Hairston Clan's family reunions when I was a little girl.
How is it that these two men that were involved in the situation can sit together and have peaceful conversation but, those that weren't even thought of at those times stir up so much hate and confusion!?
Nice conversation between two good persons… it is so easy to simply enjoy being a human being and share time with other people no matter what skin colour or origin they have…
It's false the older man was born in 1901. He grew up in PA and went to college. He made something of himself. He met the other guy when the other guy was a teen ager. Didn't you listen.
I hope you are enjoying life in Mocksville. I am a seventh-generation native of that place, dating to even before the county and town were formed in 1836 and 1839, respectively.
Did not know he grew up in Homestead. I went to college in Pittsburgh, worked there and raised my children there. Drove through Homestead a few weeks ago!
His grandfather chose to keep the last name , jester had nothing to do with that. Nor did Peter, you hold the people responsible for slavery responsible not the ones that came after the slavers, there will never be forgiveness progress if we don’t . Not that I should mention this but I will I’m black , a women and a veteran, and can see that they have at least tried to transcend past the hurts and injustices to become great friends and it is obvious that Peter admires Jester !
Not the kinda harmony you want. This makes you feel good about yourself doesn't it. Makes you feel like this is how it's supposed to be. How it was when America was great.
Jester has been uplifting force for me...he was my favorite on the laughable series "AMEN" this great man will never be forgotten by time...!!!💙💙💙💙☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️💙
What a wonderful man. 92 (l think that's what he said) and still sharp as a tack. It's a privilege to hear his stories and l love seeing the camaraderie between these two men. The only downside was not being able to hear the interviewer.
This man understands things better than people do today even though he was so much closer to the reality of what slavery was for the short time it was in America
The closest groups culturally speaking in America is the black and white American. Boths groups are binded together forever. Culturally, spirituality, linguistically and even some genes. My hope by the power of God Almighty, that black and white Americans Americans as a whole reconcile their differences, and unite. Once this happens, America will be unstoppable. Both groups are very special.
