Biography
Joshua Christian Childress is a Los Angeles–based saxophonist, educator, and performing artist whose work bridges jazz performance, higher education, and contemporary commercial music. He serves as the Saxophone Instructor at Concordia University Irvine, where he is committed to developing technically sound, musically expressive, and stylistically versatile saxophonists.
An active performer throughout Southern California and beyond, Childress has shared the stage with internationally recognized artists including Imagine Dragons, FINNEAS, Kelly Rowland, Aloe Blacc, Wayne Bergeron, John Beasley, and Ernie Watts. He has appeared on national platforms including The Ellen Show and has performed with Coke Studio productions. His festival appearances include the Leimert Jazz Festival, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Long Beach Uptown Jazz Festival, Gardena Jazz Festival, and Harbor City Jazz Festival, along with international performances in Mexico and Guatemala.
Known for his commanding sound, lyrical phrasing, and confident improvisational voice, Childress performs in settings ranging from major concert venues and commercial productions to traditional jazz stages.
In addition to his performing career, Childress is deeply invested in music education and mentorship. He has worked extensively with young musicians across Southern California, helping students develop strong fundamentals, stylistic fluency, and artistic confidence. His teaching philosophy emphasizes tone production, rhythmic integrity, harmonic fluency, and musical leadership, preparing students not only for collegiate study but for meaningful and sustainable careers in music.
Childress is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California (USC), where his work focuses on advanced performance practice and artistic development. His broader artistic vision centers on cultivating excellence, integrity, and longevity in the next generation of musicians while remaining an active and contributing performing artist.