Ernest Ranglin is a Jamaican guitarist from Robins Hall, Jamaica, born in 1932. He begins on ukulele as a child and moves to guitar in his teens, with Charlie Christian among his early influences.

Ranglin plays an important role in the early development of ska and later in the growth of reggae and rocksteady. He works on many classic recordings with artists including Jimmy Cliff, Monty Alexander, Prince Buster and The Skatalites, and he also tours extensively with the Eric Deans Orchestra, which is one of the leading bands in the Caribbean.

In 1958, Chris Blackwell records a Ranglin single, which becomes the first release on Island Records. Ranglin then makes a series of recordings in the late 1950s and early 1960s that are widely regarded as significant to the formation of ska. In 1964, he records “My Boy Lollipop” with Coxsone Dodd and singer Millie; the song becomes the first Jamaican record to achieve international success.

He is also associated with a distinctive guitar approach often described as scratching, which is heard in much ska music. Ranglin continues to record, frequently combining jazz with reggae. His later work includes a 1997 reunion with The Skatalites for the album Ball of Fire.

He is also linked with the Duke Reid Group, Workshop Musicians, Sound Dimension, Ernest Ranglin Trio, Ernie Ranglin All Stars and King Edward Allstars.