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Ernie Ranglin |
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Ernie
Ranglin is an elder statesman of Jamaican music
and one of the most admired jazz and pop guitarists
in the world. Born in 1932, he learned to play by
copying his uncles, but his first major influence
was Charlie Christian. He joined the Val Bennett
Orchestra at the age of 16, then moved to the Eric
Deans Orchestras in the early 1950s before forming
his own quintet. In 1958, while leading this quintet
at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, he caught
the ears of a budding producer by the name of Chris
Blackwell, who offered him the chance to record
an album with pianist Lance Heywood. This became
the first release of Island Records.
In 1959, Ranglin joined the studio group Clue J
and His Blues Blasters, with whom he recorded the
single Shuffling Bug, the first example of ska.
In 1964, Chris Blackwell brought Ranglin and singer
Millie Small to London to record what would become
the first international ska hit, My Boy Lollipop.
Because of his arranging skills and instrumental
versatility, Mr. Ranglin was in high demand in Jamaican
studios during the 1960s. During this period he
recorded with many leading acts including The Wailers,
Prince Buster and Baba Brooks. In the 1970s, Mr.
Ranglin toured the world as musical director for
reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. In recent years, he has
recorded several albums as a leader, among them,
Below the Bassline, Memories of Barber Mack, The
Search of the Lost Riddim, Modern Answers to Old
Problems and Gotcha!
Program:
The Lyrics of Jimmy Cliff
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