Impressions: Chronixx x Ernest Ranglin x Monty Alexander at the Blue Note

Words by Kieran Meadows, Photos by Martei Korley—

This weekend, the great jazz pianist Monty Alexander, legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin and the past year’s most talked-about new reggae artist, Chronixx, heated up the legendary Blue Note jazz club, for a packed house that braved sub-freezing temperatures in arctic-blasted New York City. The multi-generational show, billed as “A History of Reggae and The Music of Jamaica,” represented decades of living Jamaican musical history—at 21, Chronixx is more than 60 years younger than Ranglin.

As the official media sponsor of the event, LargeUp was in the house for the second of four performances Saturday night.

Click here to read the rest of the story and see the photos.

With Chris Blackwell, Ms. Pat Chin from VP Records, and actor Malik Yoba among those in attendance, Monty Alexander and his band took the stage shortly before 11, dropping into the classic reggae riddim, Bam Bam. Monty brought up DJ Pee Wee to lead the crowd in a sing-a-long, as the band transitioned into a jazzier bossa feel, allowing Monty to set things off with a melodica solo. Throughout the performance, the virtuoso musicians would playfully reference phrases and riffs from other well-known songs, including the traditional Jamaican mento song, “Day-O (Banana Boat Song),” made popular by Harry Belafonte.

Monty demonstrated his love for the music by not only playing but also supporting and encouraging his fellow band members during their own solos. At one point, he stood nodding over the shoulder of upright bassist Hassan Shakur as he soloed an intro into a bass-led hip hop groove, that then received a reggae skank on the rhythm guitar played by Andy Bassford. Shakur morphed his line into the bassline from Chic’s “Good Times,” the Axel Foley theme from Beverly Hills Cop and also the Pink Panther theme, while Monty referenced the 007 theme.

While introing his band — which also included Desi Jones on drums and Courtney Panton on percussion– Monty talked about how he used to sneak out of school in the 1950s to watch musicians like trombonist Don Drummond and saxophonist Roland Alphonso, founding members of The Skatalites. He noted that many Jamaican musicians could have held their own alongside some of the top American jazz players of the time. With that, he introduced lifelong friend and frequent collaborator, Ernest Ranglin. The guitarist is credited with creating the rhythmic guitar style that defined the ska form, which in turn influenced the later popular styles of rocksteady and reggae.

After Ernest tuned his guitar and joked “well, that was my first tune, ready for my second?” the band launched into the classic roots Satta Massagana riddim. Monty and Ernest were face-to-face while soloing and, in an intimate venue like the Blue Note, you could literally feel the energy between them.

Describing him as “a gift to the world,” Monty brought on Chronixx, who humbly noted that there are great musicians on this stage, “myself not included.” Based on the energy in the room and the number of cellphones that went up to snap photos, about half of the crowd seemed to be there for him, however.

In a “passing-the-torch” moment, similar to Barrington Levy’s appearance at the young artist’s NYC debut show at SOB’s in September, Monty yielded the stage to the young singer, who was joined by Zincfence Redemption band members Josh “Flubz” Jones on bass and Nnamdi “Nnamz” Robinson on guitar. The band flew through three big tunes, “Smile Jamaica,” “Ain’t No Giving In,” and “They Don’t Know.”

When Monty came back onstage, he and Chronixx conversed on how they make music. Chronixx, lighting up the room with a wide smile, said he listens to the birds, trees and nature, and Monty agreed that it’s a “mystery” to him how the music is made at times.

As Ernest Ranglin re-emerged all three went into the Chronixx tune, “Dread.” Chronixx offered insight into the tune’s origination, explaining he originally recorded over the riddim from Eek-A-Mouse’s “Ganja Smuggling,” but when he teamed with Major Lazer for his Start A Fyah mixtape, Walshy Fire suggested he do a version of “Dread” over the Surfin’ riddim arranged by Ernest Ranglin for Studio One. Acting almost like a mixing engineer fading up individual instrumental tracks, Chronixx proceeded to direct different players to add their parts to the Surfin’ riddim, starting with the bass, then the guitar percussive parts so unique to Ernest’s style, and finally the distinctive organ phrases. A final Chronixx tune, “Odd Ras” started as usual, then morphed into an impressive bossa nova progression with Monty soloing on the melodica again.

As Chronixx left the stage, the band went into Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” with Ernest doing the verse lyrics on guitar and the audience singing the hook. As the set ended after midnight, many in the crowd were left wondering how the time went by so fast. While the general feeling was a desire for a longer set, most knew they had just witnessed something very special.

Look out for the LargeUp TV webisode shortly, and listen to last week’s LargeUpSessions radio show with special guest Monty Alexander here, and continue here for the rest of the photos from this past week’s historic performances.

Masters at work. Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin have played together for over 50 years.

The cozy Blue Note is as intimate of a setting as you’re likely to find Chronixx, reggae’s newest star, these days.

Zincfence Redemption meets the Harlem-Kingston Express

Angling for a better view.

Chronixx captivating the crowd.

Chronixx with Zincfence Redemption band members Josh “Flubz” Jones and Nnamdi “Nnamz” Robinson, and Ernest Ranglin

Guitar virtuoso Andy Bassford has played with Monty Alexander for years, not to mention on reggae classics by Johnny Osbourne, Dennis Brown and Barrington Levy.

Backstage at the Blue Note…

Ernest exits to the dressing room.

The band: [From l to r] drummer Desi Jones, guitarist Andy Bassford, percussionist Courtney Panton and friend.

Monty Alexander chats with Pat Chin of VP Records.

Generations of Jamaican music in one room.

…And history has been made.