Self-Discovery with Music Excellence
AAs someone of Jamaican heritage, a jazz enthusiast, and a music graduate, I was astonished to discover that I had never heard of the legendary Jamaican jazz guitarist, Ernest Ranglin. Although I can’t recall the source, I learned that he was performing at the Montreal Bistro, a now-closed jazz club in Toronto, that very night. This revelation left me perplexed, but it motivated me to go and see him perform for myself.
I remember that it was standing room only in the club that night. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as the music reverberated throughout the venue. I was already excited by what I had heard so far, so I squeezed into a spot in the crowd. I quickly became mesmerized by the music and captivated by Ernest’s playing. His calm demeanor contrasted with his dexterous technique, as staccato riffs flowed effortlessly from his guitar.
I was amazed by the unique fusion of musical genres. The jazz elements I learned at university blended with the R&B I listened to on the radio, along with the reggae and ska from my parents’ record collection. They had a small collection of vinyl 45s that introduced me to ska, a more upbeat style of reggae. Unbeknownst to me at that time, Ernest Ranglin played an important role on one of those “hit” ska records!
Ranglin’s Musical Beginnings
- Born Ernest Adheir Ranglin was born in Manchester Parish, a rural community in Jamaica and was first introduced to the guitar by two uncles who taught him guitar rudiments and bought him a ukulele to start him off on his musical journey
- When his family moved to Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, that placed him closer to the vibrant music scene in which he became an integral participant
- Ranglin continued to study from guitar books and late-night sessions watching Jamaican dance bands, so he is essentially self-taught
- He was also influenced by many American jazz musicians whom he listened to and emulated, such as jazz guitarist Charlie Christian and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie
- His early gigs included playing with local orchestras, particularly the Val Bennett Orchestra and the Eric Deans Orchestra, where he picked up valuable orchestration and arranging skills
Ernest Plays with Bob’s Wailers and other Notables
Ranglin’s guitar style also evolved through the early forms of Jamaican music, from mento to calypso, rocksteady, and reggae. He was instrumental in the development of the rhythmic guitar style of ska and played on several Calypso and Mento-style recordings for the tourist and hotel circuits.
- Ernest Ranglin’s notable recordings include “Shuffling Jug,” widely regarded as one of the first ska records, recorded with Clue J & His Blues Blasters for renowned record producer Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd
- Ranglin, 13 years older than Marley, crossed paths in the early 1960s at Studio One in Kingston, where Marley and his group, The Wailers were recording their first hit “It Hurts To Be Alone”, Ranglin playing a pivotal role in arranging and playing guitar on the song
- He recorded at least 30 albums under his own name including “Mod Mod Ranglin” for Federal Records, “Below The Bassline” for Island Jamaica Jazz, and “In Search of the Lost Riddim” featuring collaborations with Baaba Maal and Sly & Robbie
- His recording career took off as he was in demand, playing on countless recordings either as leader or collaboratively, with artists like Floyd Lloyd, Bunny Wailer, and Jimmy Cliff, to name a few. He also recorded with renowned pianist and lifelong friend Monty Alexander, with whom he collaborated on over a dozen albums, including “Rock Steady”
From Jamaica to UK with love
Ranglin’s talent caught the attention of Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records. He called Ranglin “the most important musician to have emerged from Jamaica”. Ranglin released his first solo album on the label, Guitar in Ernest. When Blackwell relocated the record company to the UK, he wanted to expose his roster of artists to an international audience. He arranged for Ranglin to audition for London’s famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, which led to a steady gig for Ranglin, where he garnered multiple accolades and a new base of UK fans and audiences.
Album cover of With Friends Playing Guitar Ernest Ranglin, with unidentified trio
Check out Ernest Ranglin’s jazz guitar skills on the 1940’s jazz standard “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” written by Jimmy Van Heusen (music) & Johnny Burke (lyrics).
Ernest & Millie’s Hit Record
And now back to the hit ska record that Ranglin played on! In 1964, Ernest was hired as musical director to arrange and perform on a song that became a massive hit for a young 17-year-old singer. It sold millions of copies in both the UK and the US, and was the best selling ska record and a breakthrough for Island Records on the international stage.
His work as musical director on Millie Small’s international ska crossover hit is another landmark recording, with Ranglin credited for the arrangement
The singer was Millie Small, and the song was “My Boy Lollipop.” Small was a Jamaican singer that Blackwell brought to the UK to help launch her career, as he did for Ranglin. Blackwell was searching for a song for her to record and decided on a song from his extensive record collection. “My Boy Lollipop,” was originally recorded by American singer Bobby Gaye in 1956.
I remember that little vinyl record, with no art or graphics, just plain print. This song played throughout my childhood, only by my parents. After all, it sounded so old-fashioned to us, and we were not particularly interested. Little did we know it played an important role in promoting Jamaican artists and music
Perhaps subconsciously, I felt a connection with Ranglin when hearing him for the first time. Like a familiar feeling through the culture and the music. And then finding out he played a part in Millie’s My Boy Lollipop record, it kinda made sense.
Sir Ernest Ranglin…
One day, I came up with the title “Sir” Ernest Ranglin, and it stuck, at least for me. As I continued to attend many of his performances, I can attest to his extraordinary talent and the joyous experiences he brought to his fellow musicians and his audiences. His artistry transcends musical boundaries and naturally draws everyone together. The Jamaican government honored him with The Order of Distinction (1973) and the Order of Jamaica (2021). Known as “the king of ska guitar,”
I’ve decided that Sir Ernest Ranglin, is a title he has earned for his outstanding “royal” talent and contribution to the music world.
Moi & my sister posing with Ernest at Lulu Lounge in Toronto, 2015.