Legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernie Ranglin, known as the man who taught Bob Marley to play the guitar and who helped give birth to Jamaica’s ska phenomenon in the 1950’s, will be will be performing in Toronto this Sunday at the Seven 44 Restaurant & Lounge, 744 Mt. Pleasant Rd.

Ranglin played guitar on many early ska recordings and helped create the rhythmic guitar style that defined the form. His musical film score was used in the James Bond film Dr. No which was filmed mostly in Jamaica.

The effects of Ranglin’s fluid and rhythmic playing on Jamaican music, from mento to reggae, are deep and long-lasting. But his work as a jazz artist is equally amazing.

He has toured with Jimmy Cliff in the dual role of music director and guitarist, which resulted in the 1976 album release In Concert: The Best of Jimmy Cliff and was the lead guitarist on the Lee “Scratch” Perry recording sessions at Black Ark Studios for the seminal 1977 album Heart of the Congo.

Jay Douglas & The All Star Band will back Ranglin. Jay was proclaimed winner of NOW magazine’s “Best R&B Act” in 2006, and “Male Reggae Vocalist of the Year” at the Annual Toronto Reggae Awards in 2007.

In over 45 years of entertainment, Jay has developed a wide-ranging repertoire of American Blues, West Indian Rhythms, Jazz Standards combined with fancy footwork and incredible on-stage charisma.

In the early ’60s, Jay fronted the R&B group The Cougars who with their skill and verve lit up Montreal as well as Toronto’s Yonge Street nightclubs. (Btw: Everton “Pablo” Paul, one of the original Cougars’ drummers, will perform with Jay Douglas at the Ranglin concert).

Over the past decade Jay has performed almost non-stop at venues around the world.

Comedian Marc Trinidad is also on the bill.This funny man will take the audience on an uproarious tour of transitioning from life in the Caribbean to life in North America. The show will also introduce a new young singer Jesse Ellis – a Grade 12 student at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts.

M.C for the show is Danae Peart, station manager of Toronto’s CHRY-FM. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.