Joshua Watkins & Ascension

Joshua Watkins is a masterful drummer and brilliant artist who hails from the great city of Detroit, Michigan. Being born into a vast family of musicians, it was only natural for him to become musically inclined as well. At a young age, his musical roots started in the church and since then he has grown to be extremely versatile, not only as a drummer but as a composer, producer, and bandleader. Joshua graduated from Michigan State University in 2024, studying under jazz great Rodney Whitaker and legendary drummer Randy Gelispie. Since then, he has made major strides as an artist, most notably with the release of his debut album, REDEMPTION, in May of this year. The project is a deeply personal and spiritually driven body of work, a musical reflection of his walk with God, his challenges, growth, and triumphs. On August 8th, Joshua will take the stage at the Blue LLama Jazz Club for a special and emotional performance — his final Michigan show with his band, Ascension, before relocating to Baltimore, Maryland. There, he will begin the next chapter of his journey as a master’s student at the prestigious Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. The very name “Ascension” reflects Joshua’s ongoing journey of rising to new heights in purpose, artistry, and impact. This bittersweet moment marks both a farewell and a powerful transition, a true embodiment of his guiding mantra, “The Only Trajectory Is Upwards.”

Joshua Watkins - Drums
Brendon Davis - Piano & Keyboards
Chris Sykes - Bass
Zach Sommerfeld - Guitar
Kevin Brewster - Saxophone
Maelisa Watkins - Vocals