For his part, back home in Clifton and vicinity, “I do a lot of Louie Armstrong in my shows” as a way to preserve Armstrong’s legacy in New Jersey. Not that Jerseyans have forgotten the legendary Armstrong; “once the audience knows what I play, they often request his tunes,” Davella said. Davella himself keeps up with various musical styles, mostly jazz-related, including Dixieland and zydeco, the latter including homemade instruments such as the washboard (or “rubboard”). Both styles are still New Orleans staples, particularly during festival events. He stressed that having favorites doesn’t preclude him from listening to other music genres and styles outside of jazz. “I like to think I have a fairly open mind musically,” he offered. Excepting New Orleans, Davella today makes almost all of his musical appearances in local venues, whether playing for customers in an East Rutherford restaurant or for students in Montclair, and he explains why in simple terms. “I don’t want to stay up late anymore,” he said. “Even just playing on weekends takes away time I can spend with my family.”
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January 2018 • Cliftonmagazine.com
Ralph showing off his chops a few years back.
Mustang (musical and sporting) pride The Davella family carries on its own musical tradition hand in hand with the city of Clifton, something that Ralph Davella is delighted with. “I’m a Mustang,” he said with pride. He’s not alone. Wife Barbara (Ossi) Davella (CHS 1974) had the honor of serving as the Marching Mustangs Drum Majorette in 1974, and introduced baton twirling into the Mustang on field performances. Daughter Lauryn (CHS 2004), now a music teacher in New Orleans, followed her mother’s lead, and also served as Drum Majorette for the Marching Mustangs during her senior year. Lauryn played clarinet, and in fact was an All-State clarinet player, her father said. Daughter Jamie (CHS 2002) played saxophone for the Mustangs for two years—while also on the Lady Mustangs softball team for four years. Son Matthew (CHS 2008) was the relatively nonmusical offspring, opting for football and was on the NJ State Championship team in 2006. He also wrestled and played lacrosse during his Clifton high school days. Matthew followed a different set of his father’s footsteps through CHS sports, since Ralph for two years was both a football player and Marching Mustang, or so he claims... “I was the only person in history who went to marching band practice with a football uniform on,” Davella says with a twinkle in his eye at the half truth. For 2018, Ralph Davella is looking forward to some changes in his workday. Football is in the past; remodeling work may soon be a fond memory. He’ll be putting down that hammer and tools and picking up his trumpet. Ralph Davella got chops, indeed.