›› THE BEAT
Ranglin on our minds… Jamaican guitar legend Ernest Ranglin strums into Mill Valley this weekend by t he Space Cowb oy
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his week the North Bay will be Ranglin was taught guitar at an early age graced by two shows from legendary by his uncles. Jamaican jazz-reggae guitarist Ernest His enthusiasm for the instrument Ranglin. led him to three schools in the Kingston A true pioneer of calypso, ska, reggae and area, culminating in his musical studies at jazz, Ranglin’s 60-plus-year career spans Bodmin College. In 1948 at the age of 16 generations, genres and continents. He he began his professional career joining was awarded the Medal of Distinction by the Val Bennett Orchestra and playing the the Jamaican government hotels and clubs of Montego in 1973, and elected to the Bay and Kingston. Jamaican Music Hall of His standout playing was COMING SOON Fame in 2008. Those who noticed by none other than Ernest Ranglin and Avila will perform Thursday, witnessed his magical suna visiting Les Paul—who May 2, at 8pm at Hopmonk set show at the 2012 High was so touched by Ranglin’s Tavern in Sebastopol and Sierra Music Festival, or playing that he gave him Saturday, May 4, at 9pm his sold out 80th birthday one of his guitars. Ranglin at Mill Valley’s Sweetwater celebration at SF’s Great also met pianist Monty Music Hall. American Music Hall last Alexander with whom year, will bear witness to he would begin a lifelong not only his musical brilmusical friendship. liance but his infectious In 1958, while playing in onstage vibe. This is a rare chance to see a the Eric Deans Orchestra, he was “discovtrue music legend. ered” by pioneering reggae producer Chris Born in 1932 in Robin’s Hall, a small Blackwell, who enlisted Ranglin to record rural town in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, a release for Island Records. That year also
saw Ranglin record “Shufflin’ Bugs” for Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, a song widely regarded as the birth ska, a style which emphasized the “jump beat” of 1950s-era New Orleans R&B. Jamaica meets Mill Valley this Saturday with Ernest Ranglin and Avila. The early ’60s found Ranpoll. Ranglin then returned to Jamaica and glin in high demand. He was was hired as the head of A&R for Duke hired to compose music for the inaugural Reid’s Treasure Isle label. He also began James Bond film Dr. No (which was being working with producers Lee “Scratch” filmed in Jamaica), and he collaborated Perry and Eric “Monty” Morris, recording with Jamaican singer Millie Smalls on an “Say What You’re Saying” in 1972, one of Island Records session that produced the the first albums to feature reggae drumnumber-two UK hit “My Boy Lollipop.” In ming. In 1973, Ranglin toured with Jimmy 1965, he worked with an unknown band Cliff, the results of which can be heard on called the Wailers, recording their first hit the famous album In Concert: The Best of “It Hurts to be Alone” and served as musiJimmy Cliff. cal director for the Melodians’ smash hit Ranglin’s playing has always transcend“The Rivers of Babylon.” ed genres. Vintage Guitar magazine has At Blackwell’s urging, Ranglin in 1965 called his playing “mellow-toned and laid moved to London, where he began a back fusion that is singular and stunning.” yearlong residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Sing Out magazine said, “Much like other Club, honing his jazz chops and influencguitar legends such as Andre Segovia or ing many great British artists. His year in Django Reinhart, Ranglin’s free-flowing England culminated in being named the fretwork magic has always been instantly top guitarist in Melody Maker’s readers’ recognizable as his own.” Age hasn’t slowed him down any. His 1996 album with pianist Monty Alexander, Below the Bassline, was highly acclaimed and in recent years he has worked with contemporary artists such as Charlie Hunter, Spearhead, St. Germain, Vinyl, and has toured Japan and Europe with Sly & Robbie. Producer Tony Mindel has been the moving force behind Ranglin’s last two California visits. Says Mindel: “Ernie, as we now affectionately call him, came to California with an open energy, graciousness and a collaborative spirit. He is a gentleman and a genius and it is our honor to work with him again this year. I urge everyone to see at least one of these shows!” Mindel’s efforts to bring Ranglin to the West Coast have resulted in two albums over the last two years featuring Yossi Fine on bass and Ian “Inkx” Herman on drums, among others. Last year’s album, Avila received rave reviews. A second album recorded last year with the same band will be released soon. This year his backing band, Avila, includes Angeline Saris on bass (Narada Michael Walden/ Zepperella), Michael Peloquin on sax/ harp (Blues Power/Rhythmtown Jive), Portland’s Michael Anderly on trombone, Chris Brown (Albino!/Afromassive) on trumpet, Lex Razon on drums (Vinyl/Biambu’s Groove Room) and Jonathan Korty on keys (Vinyl/Electric Apricot). < marinbeat@gmail.com. Rawk on!
18 PACIFIC SUN MAY 3 - MAY 9, 2013