From 1970 to 1974 he worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles and recorded with The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand.
He often performed at Dante's jazz club with Louie Bellson and Don Menza, and he played with Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie, who nicknamed Watkins "Mr.
He co-wrote and performs the music heard in the title sequence for "Murder Is Corny", a 2002 episode of the A&E TV series A Nero Wolfe Mystery.
[6] He also began working on instrument development in 1975,[1] consulting with Richard Smith of Boosey & Hawkes on the design of the Sovereign Studio trumpet.
[9] With Georgie Fame With Peter Herbolzheimer With James Last With Jimmy Nail With Stan Tracey With Colin Towns With Kenny Wheeler With Robbie Williams With Bill Wyman With others