I have to hold back the tears as this man and my father were very dear friends and he and his family beloved friends of our family. A most remarkable man. I will always remember him with much love as he taught me the spirit of generosity and joy!
I was SO VERY LUCKY to be in the Festival Chorus at the Virginia Music Educators summer music camp in Massanetta Springs, Virginia in June 1972. Jester Hairston was the guest conductor of the Festival Chorus (mostly high school seniors). I was 17 years old and an alto. We had a whole week with this FANTASTIC MUSICIAN and GENTLEMAN!!! He told us some REALLY FUNNY stories of Hollywood and the actors he knew. (He also told us that he dubbed "Amen" in the movie "Lillies of the Field" since Sidney Poitier was not a singer.) "Amen" was the Festival Chorus' closing piece at the concert at the end of the week. Mr. Hairston sang the song as the chorus sang the back up Amens. As he sang, "But He rose on Easter," we all began to clap as Mr. Hairston and the chorus do in this video. As the song ended we were ALL CRYING TEARS OF JOY for having known and worked with SUCH A DEAR and TALENTED GENTLEMAN!!! That summer was MY MOST FAVORITE of the 3 summers I went to the music camp. Whenever I hear this song sung by Mr. Hairston, I CRY HAPPY TEARS at the WONDERFUL MEMORIES I have of him and that FABULOUS SUMMER!!! RIP DEAR Mr. Hairston. You'll be ALIVE in MY HEART as long as I live!!!
I love this precious man! “Lilies of the Field” is one of my all-time favorite films. I go back to it often because I love this song in it in particular.
