Meet Joshua Ferrell | Jazz Drummer, Educator & Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Ferrell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Being a self-employed musician whose primary source of income relies on being called by other musicians in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex involves a level of risk that many people would find uncomfortable. There are financial risks, as well as relational ones. For example, when I receive a call for a high-paying performance, I may have to change existing plans with those close to me out of necessity. I am also often away from family and friends due to travel; however, this can have an upside.
After dedicating countless hours to my craft, the musicians who call me for performances recognize the dedication and love I have for the music. I have become a frequent performer in the DFW area, which allows me to be more intentional about when I work so that I can prioritize time with my family and loved ones. I am now able to travel when necessary and occasionally bring a loved one with me. Although the risks were uncomfortable to take at first, I now have what many consider to be extremely valuable—time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
These days, many musicians are expected to be great educators, performers, and composers to build a comfortable life and career as an artist. What I love about music is that everyone has a different story to tell, partly because we come from different places. Coming from Houston, I was surrounded by R&B, Hip Hop, and Modern Fusion music growing up. These sounds appear in my naturally, and they show up in the music I write, given them an experience that only those from Houston can provide.

What helped me gain the tools that I needed for a professional career would be my former teachers. Quincy Davis, Jose Aponte, John Lane, Brian Graiser, Conner Kent, and Brian Perez are all fantastic musicians which who I’ve studied with in the past. I have spent countless hours with these individuals working on my craft, even when I felt hopeless. They always found a way to make me feel welcomed, accepted, and most importantly, valued.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned was from Quincy Davis, and he told me “You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone”. For the longest I had and honestly still struggle internally when I compare myself to my peers. I would tell myself, “You slowing the group down”, “They would be better off with someone else”, “It is only a coincidence that you’re here”. Quincy helped me tackle this inner dialogue and that has been liberating to say the least.

I want people to know that my music comes from lived experience and honesty, not from trying to measure myself against anyone else. I believe the strongest artists are shaped by community, mentorship, and learning to trust their own voice over time. A big part of my journey has been letting go of the need to prove myself and focusing instead on being present and authentic. At the end of the day, I just want to make music that feels human and meaningful, both for myself and the people listening.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Although not exclusive to DFW, for brunch I would take friends and family to a restaurant called Seven Mile Café. Whether you’re in the mood for coffee or cocktails, breakfast or burgers, Seven Mile has some of the best food around.

During the day, I would take them to explore Downtown Dallas and all the art it has to offer. The combination of art, great food, and live music on nearly every corner is a big part of what makes downtown Dallas stand out from other cities.

One of the most exciting venues in the DFW area is a jazz bar in Dallas called Triumphs Espresso and Whiskey. Though it’s only about three years old, it has gained more popularity than many other music venues in the area. It’s the perfect place for a night out, offering great jazz alongside excellent food and drinks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout Lea Cuevas who has been by my side throughout this past year, rooting me on and encouraging during discouraging moments. Lastly, my family at the University of North Texas, who I have grown alongside after relocating from Houston to DFW in 2022.

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuaferrell98