Ernie Ranglin, who said he was "just honoured to be appreciated". - Winston SillIN AN outpouring of appreciation for the life and work of guitarist, Ernie Ranglin, a resolution was passed Saturday to confer on him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. The motion was tabled at a symposium in tribute to Ernie Ranglin, hosted by the Department of Government, in association with Reggae Studies unit, at the Philip Sherlock Centre of the Creative Arts, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
As the presentations progressed and the worth and work of the world-renowned guitarist unfolded, musicologist, Ossie Clarke suggested that a resolution to that effect be put to the executives of the university. This was supported by the gathering and a hand-written resolution was drafted there and then.
Participants also drafted a resolution calling on Government to bestow an Order of Merit on the musician for his "unique contribution to Jamaica and Jamaican music".
In his presentation Professor Freddie Hickling, head of psychiatry at UWI referred to Ranglin as a "stickler for technical excellence and technical elegance" who served as mentor for artistes like Bob Marley.
Speaking to the enormous talent of the self-taught musician, Professor Hickling said: "Yuh cyaan play the guitar unless yuh can play the guitar ...and Ernie can play."
Musician Marjorie Whylie, who gave a brilliant verbal presentation on the technical skills of Ernie, interspersed with the playing of the master arranger's music, called Ernie "a fine example of what's right with Jamaica."
In highlighting the technical competence of the "musical giant and gentle genius", she underscored his ability to play at "break neck speed".
"He can be a whole rhythm or percussion band by himself. His cascading passages of improvisations are the hallmarks of his trade," she said.
As each presenter took to the stage, the symposium became more and more pregnant with praise and adoring superlatives of the musical genius.
Clyde McKenzie, director of Shocking Vibes Productions was an outstanding moderator. He praised the "father of ska" in between a dancehall-selector-style session of Ernie Ranglin works on CDs, some of which he arranged.
Presentations also came from Dr. Carolyn Cooper, Dr. Clinton Hutton and bandleader Sonny Bradshaw, among other admirers of Ernie Ranglin's work.
W.W.
