Fred Goodnight grew up in Pittsburgh and used to stand outside clubs and 

listen to world class jazz performers until he was old enough to go inside and 

meet with the likes of Art Blakely, Mary Lou Williams, Ahmad Jamal and others. 

From those early days in high school bands and visiting clubs, Goodnight went 

on to study music theory at Akron University, the US Navy School of Music and, 

as an enlisted marine, at the Field Music School. After military service, Goodnight 

also attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and took on a day job as an illustrator 

when he graduated, he worked in advertising in Cincinnati for 27 years before moving 

to Florida. For years and for up to as many as six nights a week, he also had a night 

job playing the drums. He was a member of several bands, traveling up and down the 

East Coast and through the Mid-Atlantic States. Early in life he was influenced by the 

likes of James Moody (with whom he later shared the stage) and he has learned from 

percussionists Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones and Jimmy Cobb who all played with 

Miles Davis at some point in their careers. Through these influences, he started leading 

drumming circles, added a Brazilian flavor to some of his performances and integrated 

unique approaches to his drumming style. Goodnight moved to Brevard County about 

15 years ago. Goodnight played at local venues, churches and special events with both 

local and visiting musicians. When performing, Goodnight says his goal is “to be fully 

present and feel joy and happiness in what I do. And I want people to come away from 

the performance feeling uplifted.” 

Fred passed away 2023.