A crucial figure in the development of ska music, guitarist Ernest Ranglin was
also respected for his prowess in jazz and reggae. Born on June 19, 1932 in
Manchester, Jamaica, Ranglin was playing with local bands when he met jazz
pianist Monty Alexander, who helped set him on his trajectory. He developed a
rhythmic guitar style that helped set the template for ska, and he became a
fixture at Studio One, the label and studio seen as Jamaica’s analogue to
Motown. Along the way he played with the giants of reggae and ska, including Bob
Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and the Skatalites.
H...