brother blue: boston's griot

Dr. Hugh Morgan Hill aka "Brother Blue" was one of the great American storytellers. I grew up watching him perform in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Brattle Square, at Cafe's, the Children's Museum etc. I loved listening to his colorful and often transcendental stories, and I credit him as being one of my chief inspirations to make films. Here is a short clip of the footage from the documentary I started last year. Brother Blue passed over in his sleep November 3rd, 2009. He was 88 years old. I hope to finish the documentary in his honor by the time we have his memorial in the Spring of 2010. His wife Ruth Edmond Hill was his rock of reason, and I would like to dedicate this clip to her and her sweetness.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• brother blue
• dr. hugh morgan hill
• boston
• alafia
• storyteller
• griot
• roots
• blues
• beeloved creations
• baba maal
• lightning hopkins
• ernest ranglin

[sharksbyte]

Ahh- Brother Blue

In 1976 I'd take the train from Cape Ann to see him in Cambridge and brought myself back inspired and vindicated in my leaping manner to express the broadest connection with all Creation at the small Christian liberal arts college I then soon graduated from. Gordon College. I still hold the banner high and lament his passing. My best to sister Ruth. Thanks for posting Jahalafia.

[WilleyPhinedit]

We are compiling a video history of Blue on face book. Please post your videos and let others know to go there.

The storytellers of this world miss him and this is our tribute to Brother Blue.

[roboladupe]

I, too, remember Brother Blue.

singing wails heavily, telling tales lightly,

touching tirades

(tyranny, outweighed, trembled)

in dust of magic words

your grace shines still, echoing in the

reVerb my heart heard.

perhaps this is why

the sky is blue.

-- Rolande Duprey

[KamenRiderNecro]

Blue in his full eccentric brilliance. I went to his open mic storytelling nights in the 90s when I still lived in MA and always felt welcome and never once felt humored or tolerated. I only just found out of his passing this evening and I am grieving at this moment for the loss of this powerful force of light and goodness that has left the world that much dimmer for its having been extinguished. RIP, Blue.

[willgalison]

I met Blue in 1976.

The most inspiring and beautiful being I ever met.

Thanks for posting this. Please post whatever else you have. The world needs more Blue.

[petelee]

thank you for this. I am also a filmmaker and Blue and I did a few things together. I am still very much trembled by his death. thank you so much for this. I should dig out my videos. the world's lost too much.

[GRIOTWORKS]

Thanks for this video. I just posted one of him from the National Association of Black Storytellers festival. Check it out under Griotworks. This looks really good... Bro Blue in daylight...:-)

[elijahquest]

8i8 years old.... of course. ;) Rest in peace Blue!