Space Coast Live

Event Story: Drummer and percussionist Fred Goodnight is well-known to local jazz fans and musicians alike. He will be joined by Paul Polanski on tenor sax, Dexter Wilborn on bass and Mike Telesmanick on the keyboard. This group of musicians combine youth with decades of performing experience and the excitement of blending their individual styles into an afternoon of straight up and bossa nova jazz tunes. Goodnight studied music theory at Akron University, the US Navy School of Music and, as an enlisted marine, at the Field Music School. He served in the Pacific Drum and Bugle Corp as part of the Fleet Marine Force where he toured Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Alaska and California, sharing the sound of jazz and other genres of music with diverse audiences from school children to the Japanese Emperor and his court. He has played at high profile events such as for the Statue of Liberty anniversary at Madison Square Garden, music festivals in Switzerland and Europe and as part of the opening act for Ray Charles. Goodnight’s teachers included the renowned jazz artist Max Roach, drummer and recording artist Baba Olantungi of Nigeria, Brazilian percussionist and recording artist Nana Vasconselors, workshop facilitator and percussionist Arthur Hull and percussionist Tony Vacca. Early in life he was influenced by the likes of James Moody (with whom he later shared the stage). Many may remember Fred from a nine-year gig at Dijon’s Restaurant in Melbourne Beach. Currently, he plays at local venues, churches and special events. As Board member of the Space Coast Jazz Society, and through his music activities, Goodnight is also a teacher and mentor to young jazz musicians throughout Brevard. All Jazz Society concerts are open to the public – general admission tickets can be purchased online or paid at the door: $10 for members of the Jazz Society and Rockledge Country Club, $15 for guests, students are free. Food and beverages are available for an additional cost. The Rockledge Country Club is located at 1591 S. Fiske Blvd., Rockledge, FL 32955. For more information email Jazz@SpaceCoastJazzSociety.org or call Bobbie at (321)960-4897.