brother blue: boston's griot

[@TenBearsII]

I was a child growing up in the city of cambridge, Brother Blue would appear from nowhere, while we were in camp, bored by the activities, he would show up and tell us a story. He would captivate children and adults alike, he was a Griot in every sense of the word, I saw him tired in years as the winter of our lives took shape. While he tired, the shine in his eye, the hope on his lips and the sweet love in his heart never diminished. He continued to do his thing until the thing was done, no one else could do his job, He was the ONLY ONE!! He taught us about me and he taught us about you There was only one and incomparable, Brother Blue!!! I love and Treasure you Griot!!! UHURU!!!

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful eulogy! Brother Blue was all about freedom, so UHURU is the perfect call to send Brother Blue in the heavenly realms. Thank you Peter!

[@MaskedRiderChris]

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.

[@memorableme72]

I remember seeing him perform in Beverly MA. I loved him so much. He was one of a kind who would make you feel better about yourself. I wish I could have introduced my kids to him.

[@yeahshaka5952]

I miss you Brother Blue he was such a peaceful soul

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

Yes, he was a bright light and a true pleasure to be around. I'm thankful for the time I was able to spend with him, both as a child as a fan, and as a grown man. Bless Brother Blue's soul.

[@ignorecorporatenews]

I hung out with him in the 70's in Cambridge/Boston. Improvised on piano behind him whilst he told stories on WBUR FM. I have the radio's high quality studio recordings of the 4 stories that I recorded w/him. He was a one-of-a-kind performance artist and a highly spiritually advance soul. An Icon in the Boston area. God Bless Brother Blue

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

thanks so much for sharing this story, friend. i'd love to hear those stories! could you upload them to youtube?

[@juliearends8876]

Please post them!

[@brez9091]

As great a man as brother blue was/is, it took an even greater woman I'm sure, to be able to be "inspired" 24/7, by a man, of such intensity. I had the pleasure of being around him quite frequently. But I'll never forget the day I bumped into him and he was with Marcel Marceau. Now there is a dynamic duo. I don't care, whether or not you like Sara Lee But don't you ever trust anyone, who doesn't like Brother Blue.

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

wow, thanks so much for sharing that story. I saw Marcel Marceau perform when I was a child in Boston... it's nice thinking of their friendship.

[@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.

[@rashneesh]

I went to an experimental school on blue hill ave in roxbury in the seventies he would often show up to our school and tell us children fantastical stories that always left you inspired and amazed to us he was a true blue buterfly storyteller...as i got older i would catch him telling stories by chance in boston common or harvard sq i always stopped to listen and enjoy thanks for sharing this video it brings back the happy memories of my youth

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

not sure how I missed this, but thank you so much for sharing your Brother Blue story! I too would watch Brother Blue in the 70s performing in the street, at the children's museum, and cafes. love him!!!!

[@proudchristianguy367]

My family used to visit Boston commons just about every second sunday in the late sixties or early seventies and I remember Brother Blue saying out loud "my name is Brother Blue and God loves you."when we visited after Church.My mother loved hearing his stories ,but my dad didnt seem to be that excited to hear them and no wonder after driving around seven brats in the back of his station wagon for most of the morning.Lol.I was glad to hear his voice again because it brought back such good memories.Brother Blue had such a big loving heart that he had to share it with everyone around him and that he did.Thank you for sharing the video

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

+ProudChristian Guy thanks for your participation in the conversation. glad you were able to be touched by the Honorable Brother Blue!

[@stevesedberry]

Living in Boston, MA area in 1977-1978 I spent some time with Brother Blue.

[@TheOriginalClaypipe]

I loved his portrayal of Merlin in George A. Romero's movie "Knight Riders".

[@cfvasconcellos]

love .. thank you elder for your power and sharing of love and words..

[@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.

[@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

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

Yes Rolande! thank you for your poetry!!!!

[@JohnKenneymusic]

Miss seeing him in Harvard SQ RIP greatest performer.

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

yeah, i've only seen clips from that film. would love to see the whole thing!

[@dartsharkbob]

It's available in eight parts here on KZbin.

[@elijahquest]

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

[@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...:-)

[@moleqle]

Is the documentary available, and where can i find it?

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

+moleqle this is the short I cut from the beginnings of a documentary. Other folks have done pieces on him as well as you can see on youtube. thanks for reaching out!

[@DiamorphineDeath]

Jesus I hate everything the 60's accomplished,

[@TheOriginalClaypipe]

This dude, tripdefect87, posted the entire movie in 8 20 minutes segments Search for tripdefect87 here on youtube. Knightriders Part 1/8 through 8/8, Enjoy! Morgan is Tom Savini is a well known zombie and FX make-up artist, as well as an actor! Look for the hoagie man, Stephen King with his wife at that time.