Big names, broad impact In fifth grade, Ralph began taking trumpet lessons with Clifton school teacher Jerry Longo, a “great trumpet player. At age 15 he sent me to New York to study with world renowned trumpet teacher Carmine Caruso, who Longo knew very well; Mr. Longo convinced [Caruso] to take me on as a student. Caruso’s tutelage included an unexpected bonus: introductions and access to famous musicians, some of whom were seeking their own counsel from Caruso, which surprised Davella. “Players like Doc Severinsen, the leader of The Tonight Show band, and Herb Alpert, who at the time had songs on the hit charts with his group The Tijuana Brass. Carmine would often listen to them play for a minute, then give them something to practice, helping them get back to playing correctly,” Davella marveled. “It seemed like magic.” More magic, or at least good fortune, was in store. “Just before my 18th birthday, I was sitting watching Carmine Caruso give trumpet lessons,” Davella said. “Bandleader Stan Kenton walked into the studio and told him he would be putting together another big band and he would like a young trumpet player to just do a little backup and to play some high notes. Carmine pointed to me and said, ‘Take him.’ ” With Davella’s parents giving their approval, “In the late 1970s I was fortunate to play with the Stan Kenton Orchestra a few times. Kenton passed away at the end of the ‘70s.
Good Neighbors, Great Rates
Thomas Tobin 973-779-4248
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Bill G. Eljouzi 973-478-9500
January 2018 • Cliftonmagazine.com
Ralph with Chris Clifton who was an early protege of Louie Armstrong. “Chris is one of the last originals still playing in New Orleans,” said Ralph. At left, that’s Ralph back in 1970 in the Christopher Columbus Middle School Band.
Davella also studied under jazz musician and author Emile DeCosmo at DeCosmo’s North Bergen studio. DeCosmo’s approach to study, which included the Polytonal Rhythm Series, “really made you learn your instrument,” Davella stressed. Also counseling Davella: Trumpeter Jimmy Maxwell, who performed portions of the musical score for The Godfather movie series. “He plays one song so slowly, in a way nobody else can do. That’s talent,” Davella declared. “It’s not, and shouldn’t be, only how quickly you can play.” Family influences A family-wide interest in music gave Ralph an early start. “At a very young age I would hear my brother Ernie practicing classical music, many times from 8 in the morning to 10 at night.”