Funeral services took place May 8 for Fred Bryant, 83, a lifelong resident of Jersey City. He died peacefully on May 1 surrounded by his family at Christ Hospital. Fred worked at the U.S. Post Office in Kearny for over 40 years as a mail handler until his retirement. In his spare time, Fred enjoyed going to jazz clubs or concerts in New York to hear sounds by Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, just to name a few. Jazz was in his spirit and in his soul. To say Fred was a jazz enthusiast would be an understatement. With his cool walk and his hip talk, he was the essence of jazz. In the early sixties, Fred and his buddy opened a shoe shine parlor on Ege Avenue in Jersey City called the Downbeat. The Downbeat operated on weekends only for approximately 11 years. Customers who loved and appreciated the music could listen to cool jazz sounds on the jukebox, while having their shoes spit-shined. He is survived by his daughter Tracey Richardson; grandson Donald Hill Jr.; sisters, Doris Simmons, Anna Fleming; and nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Services arranged by the Watson Mortuary Service, Jersey City.