Jester Hairston & 'Band of Angels' movie

Subject: Jester Hairston & "Band of Angels" movie
From: GUEST,CoriSCapnSkip
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 07:59 AM

The 1957 film "Band of Angels" is a pretty poor excuse either for history or a motion picture, but contains some marvelous spirituals for which Jester Hairston served as choral director. All I can find for a soundtrack, alas, is original music composed for the film by Max Steiner. Can't believe a soundtrack wouldn't include the film's best selections!

On the traditional music, can anyone answer:

--What specific singing group did Jester Hairston employ to record these songs for this film?

--What albums of this kind were released by this group?

--What albums of this kind directed by Jester Hairston are available with this or different groups? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Jester Hairston & 'Band of Angels' movie
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 03:31 AM

I tried to watch this picture late last night. I feel your pain. I have no answers for you at this time. I just wanted you to know you're not alone in your appreciation for the better points of this film. If I can find any answers, I'll post them here.

Subject: RE: Jester Hairston & 'Band of Angels' movie
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 02:31 PM

Thanks and glad to meet a fellow sufferer.

Subject: RE: Jester Hairston & 'Band of Angels' movie
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 04:36 PM

This article might be of some interest to you: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/590043092/Filmmaker-tells-artists-life-story.html

I met Jester Hairston at the same concert at which the article subject's wife sang. He was a lovely fellow, and he gave me a compliment concerning my voice that I will treasure all my days.

Subject: RE: Jester Hairston & 'Band of Angels' movie
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 03:02 AM

Thanks for the article and that's great that he complimented you!

Okay, I just sent the following to the university housing his papers. This should get a response.

    Can anyone please answer any of the following questions related to Jester Hairston?

--What were the musical numbers in the 1957 film [I]Band of Angels[/I] for which Mr. Hairston was choral director? (I remember "Wade in the Water" and "In That Great Gettin'-up Mornin'," but I didn't see the whole movie or know or recall the names of all songs I heard.)

--With what singing group did he work for this film? Were the recordings used in the film, or other recordings including the same songs by the same group directed by him, released on record albums, and if so what were the records?

--Mr. Hairston did the singing for Sidney Poitier in [I]Lilies of the Field[/I]. Did he also double for Mr. Poitier in his solo in this film?

    Thanks very much for any assistance!