Jester
A National
Treasure
A National
Treasure
Hairston
Watch his story
on the next page
Help us
bring
to national attention
via the Broadway Stage
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Glenn Lovell , a full time film & TV critic for the film industry publication,
Variety and the San Jose Mercury newspaper. He is also a guest
instructor on African-American cinema at San Francisco State.
"this is very strong material and better than
anything I saw at Sundance (premier
documentary film festival) this year (2001)
This would be a strong contender for an
Academy Award nomination in the
documentary category. “
Our first review:
First we produced the full-length, 60-
minute documentary film ,“Jester! The
Amen Man” in 2001. We cover the breadth
of Jester’s career and the legacy of the
spiritual through the entire length of the
20th Century.
We’ve come so far!
John Lovell in his classic
work, "Black Song: The Forge
and the Flame" that,
"Jester Hairston has been the
cause of more people singing
Spirituals in more places than
any other single individual".
We next edited and published
Jester’s memoirs in 2011 as a multi-
media eBook that includes text,
audio, video and still images. All to
attest to the claim of
Link to Jester Hairston
YouTube channel:
In 2019, we produced a dedicated YouTube channel as a
comprehensive collection of Jester’s films, appearances, concerts,
interviews, lectures , rehearsals and teaching.
“’AIN’T GOT TIME TO DIE” is based on the life,
times and music of this American National Treasure,
legendary composer/conductor/actor, JESTER
HAIRSTON. Experience this musical romp through
the 20th century on his journey from humble
beginnings to a degree in music then Broadway,
National Radio, Hollywood films, Television and the
Concert stage. It’s the story how he became the
principal voice for saving the art and legacy of the
“spiritual”, America’s first indigenous folk music.
We Hope to present
A New
Musical
Now
Our Libretto/Book/Script is prepared
Gossip,Gossip
Wade in the Water
Ain’t Got Time to DIe
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Ezekiel Saw De Wheel
The Music is in
progress.
Sample
Pieces in
Concert
Click to hear
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Watch our Music Video:
A demo
of one
of our
Musical
numbers,
“Elijah Rock”
A big
Jester
Hit.
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What the critics are saying:
Washington DC Dramaturg
“Its arching sense of adventure makes an
unforgettable statement. The piece has the
potential to leave audiences with the sensation of
having witnessed something unusual and aspiring,
something vital and new. “
“A story that ... could really be
the next big thing.
There is no other play I know that talks about
Jester or spirituals. It held my attention .”
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
PROFESSOR and DRAMATURG:
Texas Play Competition
Judge #3
“ This play is very creative, timely and
appropriate. It has things in it I have never seen
before in a play or musical. It is a story that
needs to be told as I had never heard of the main
character who has had what seems like a very
interesting life.”
Texas Play Competition
Judge #1
“You have written a compelling play
that made me experience laughter,
righteous anger, and surprise. “
Production
Design
Act 2 Scene 8
“Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle”
Production
Design
Act 2 Scene 2
“The Green Pastures”
Production
Design
Act 2 Scene 5
“The Swing Mikado”
Production
Elements
Act 2 Scene 15
Crows from
Dumbo
Puppets like these will populate this scene.
Jester and choir did background chorals and
voices for the crows in Walt Disney’s “Dumbo”.
Puppet Design
in process
Musical Number:
“I See Elephants Fly”
our
Production Team
Brandon Waddles
Richard J Hatch
Brandon Waddles
Composer
Author/Lyricist
Arranger
(so far)r)
Brandon’s choral compositions and arrangements
have been published and performed by choral
ensembles around the world. In 2019, he was
awarded as the inaugural recipient of the ACDA
Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant. In addition, he
has worked as a transcriber of Black gospel music for
numerous choral octavos, hymnals and hymnal
supplements published by GIA, including his work as
a contributing editor for the One Lord, One Faith, One
Baptism hymnal. Brandon’s release of Just In Case
You’ve Forgotten is the first selected compendium of
works by the late Thomas Whitfield, the subject of his
dissertation. Dr. Waddles’ scholarship on Black
sacred music has been experienced in the halls of
Harvard, Yale, Morehouse and Hampton, and most
recently on American Black Journal as seen on PBS.
Recently serving as Music Director for Grammy
award-winning recording artist Ledisi, Brandon has
collaborated with the celebrated singer on multiple
occasions, including her Ledisi Sings Nina concert
series, the LEDISI: THE LEGEND OF LITTLE GIRL BLUE
show-run at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the
Performing Arts, and Ledisi Live: A Tribute to Nina
Simone as seen on PBS.
Dr. Waddles persists in his commitment to
community as National Music Director for NAACP
ACT-SO, in addition to his memberships with the
National Association for Negro Musicians, Inc. and
the American Choral Directors Association.
Visit His Site Here:
As a composer, conductor, educator and music director, Dr. Brandon Waddles
enjoys a multifaceted career spanning the musical gamut. He currently serves
as the Associate Music Director for the National Broadway Tour of The Wiz.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Waddles earned his doctoral degree in Choral
Music Education at Florida State University. He most recently served as the
Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Teaching at Wayne
State University as well as the Artistic Director of the Rackham Choir. Several
times, he has prepared the Wayne State choirs for performances with the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Brandon’s choral compositions and arrangements have been performed by
vocal ensembles the world over. In addition to professionally recorded
interpretations by the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers and Sacra/Profana, most
recent performers include the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the
King’s Singers, the Harvard Glee Club, and Voces8. Aside from his original work
and arranging, Dr. Waddles is a sought-after transcriber of Black gospel music.
Dr. Waddles’ scholarship on Black sacred music has been experienced in the
halls of Harvard, Yale, Morehouse and Hampton, and most recently on
American Black Journal as seen on PBS.
Recently serving as Music Director for Grammy award-winning recording artist
Ledisi, Brandon has collaborated with the celebrated singer on multiple
occasions, venturing from Carnegie Hall to the White House
Brandon Waddles
Composer/Arranger
Author/Lyricist
Richard J. Hatch
Richard J. Hatch is an award-winning producer-director-writer of film
and video and works for the stage. He has had a 40-year career in the
media business. He’s written hundreds of produced film and video
projects, ranging from historical to humanitarian, biographical and
documentary stories to motivational and entertainment pieces. His
productions have won at the Chicago International Film Festival, the
New York Festivals and numerous other film festivals and awards.
Richard has written three full-length screenplays. He has recently
published his first novel, and produced a theatrical audiobook version
entitled “Danger9b and his Goddess of Fortune” winner of 2024 Best
Audio Book for Young Adult humor. He also has three self-published
products in the new medium of multi-media eBooks.
You can see some of his work at this link:
Three ways to
donate
to donate to our
non-profit
501 (c)(3)
Fiscal Sponsor
“Ain’t Got Time to DIe”
is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts
service organization. Fractured Atlas will receive grants for the
charitable purposes of “Ain’t Got Time to DIe” , provide
oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance
with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the
grantor. Contributions for the charitable purposes of “Ain’t Got
Time to DIe” must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are
tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
First Way
clink link here.
This Venmo goes to
JesterMusical LLC
to donate
directly to the
business account,
which charges us
NO fees,
use Venmo link .
Second Way
Venmo
or use:
@jestermusical-2025
For every amount of $50
or more, we will send you
an exclusive link to view
the full 60 minute
documentary,
“Jester! The Amen Man”
Send us your email to our
contact email on last page.
BONUS
Third Way
to donate
directly to the
business account,
which charges us
NO fees,
use Zelle link.
Or use:
801-718-2206
in Zelle
Zelle
For every amount of $50 or
more, we will send you an
exclusive link to view the full
60 minute documentary,
“Jester! The Amen Man”
Send us your email to our
contact email on last page.
BONUS
Professional
script reading
$4,000
Our Initial Financial Goal
multi-step process:
Composer will arrange choral scores, compose nine
original songs, write incidental and transitional music,
provide choral and sheet music.
Composer
$25,000
in a
$29,000
Cost break down:
Other contribution options
and other questions?
Feel free to reach out to us.
email contact:
rjhatchmedia@gmail.com