There are film stars, there are musicians, and then there is Jeff Goldblum, a man who appears to occupy his own slightly tilted orbit. Actor, jazz pianist, cultural oddity, internet favourite and accidental philosopher, Goldblum has spent decades turning even the smallest pause into an event. From Jurassic Park and The Fly to The Grand Budapest Hotel, Independence Day and beyond, he has built a career not simply on performance, but presence: that unmistakable mixture of charm, curiosity, intellect and theatrical mischief.
But Goldblum’s great love of jazz is no late-career whim. Long before Hollywood made him a household name, music was there, shaping his rhythm, his phrasing and perhaps even that deliciously off-kilter way he approaches conversation. With his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, he has taken that love to the stage, blending old-school sophistication with the loose, spontaneous pleasure of a man who seems genuinely delighted to be in the room.
In this interview, Goldblum talks creativity, performance, jazz, film and the strange beauty of staying open to surprise. As ever, the answers rarely travel in a straight line. But then again, with Jeff Goldblum, that has always been rather the point.
After Still Blooming performed so well here (No. 10 in UK Album charts), are you excited to perform these fan favourites, and more, on your upcoming UK tour – have you noticed any of the songs being preferred by different fans across the globe?
The band and I can’t wait to perform the new arrangements from Night BIooms. It’s fun to do such beloved songs like Over The Rainbow and If I Only Had A Brain. We’re still playing some of our favorites from previous records, such as The Kicker and Let’s Face The Music And Dance.
Audiences seem to really connect with us when we close the show with Every time we say Goodbye. We’re going to perform Tattoo mainly for our UK and European audiences. It’s delightful to do a beloved Eurovision song in a new way.
From never having visited Manchester to presenting Olivia Dean with album of the year at this year’s BRIT awards, what about Manchester are you looking forward to revisiting?
Manchester is truly a fantastic city. It has such a rich history with music and bands. I feel honoured to even be a small part of that. I participated in a record signing event at HMV in Manchester a few months ago. It was invigorating and soul-healing to talk to and meet so many wonderful Mancunians. I was honoured to perform a song in Manchester with the brilliant Laufey. I’ve never seen an audience so welcoming. I can’t wait to perform for them again with my band.
Have you ever had the opportunity to visit Scotland?
I’ve never visited Scotland before, but it’s definitely been on my bucket list. It has such a rich legacy of art and culture. The Edinburg Fringe Festival is something I hope to be able to attend someday.
Now releasing the companion album Night Blooms on the 5th June – what makes this album stand apart from its predecessor? What can fans expect to hear?
In my opinion, Night Blooms is our best album yet. The arrangements are, I think, quite a step up. We recorded with a live orchestra on many of the tracks. The strings add a depth to the music that raises the band and the singers, I believe, to a new level. All the special guests and collaborators are otherworldly and in top form. I’m brimming with excitement for the world to hear Night Blooms.
Night Blooms is packed with collaborations, including a team up with your good and bad witches Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. What was it like working with them in this new musical capacity compared to filmmaking?
Cynthia and Ariana are two of the most talented people alive. Doing music with them feels like an extension of acting. We sang so much on the set of Wicked, that it seemed only natural to move it to the recording studio. They are both enormously gracious with their time and amazing talent. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be able to make art with these two incredible women.
On the topic of acting, how do you balance filming demands with your passion for music-making? Releasing two albums while fresh off the heels of two Wicked films is no easy feat.
I’m wildly grateful to have a career in acting and music. They work well together and complement each other. Music is about practice and discipline. On the set of Wicked I would practice piano every morning in order to keep up my chops. And while both worlds offer different and unique creative adventures, I often experience a lot of craft overlap. Being present in the moment, for instance, is certainly a cornerstone of jazz music and acting.
Being signed to UMG’s Fontana label alongside artists such as Jacob Collier, Aurora and Dodie—who also features on Night Blooms of course —do you feel a sense of belonging within this musical family?
Wow – What a family that is! Fontana has the most brilliant artists in the world. I’m just grateful to be mentioned along with these heavyweights. I’ve been lucky enough to record with Dodie, Melody Gardot, and Gregory Porter. It sure would be dreamy to record with Jacob Collier and AURORA someday. Fontana supports our band’s artistic vision, so it’s always been very collaborative with them. I can’t thank Tom Lewis enough for allowing me to be a part of such a glorious family.
On some tracks you let your collaborators shine on the vocals. When do you decide to take a step back on your vocals, and when do you enjoy taking centre stage?
All the singers we work with are masterful. It just depends on the song. For example, I think it made sense to do a duet with Cynthia on “If I Only Had A Brain”. We sing it as a call and response to each other. It’s easy for Charlie Puth to shine. He sings five part harmonies that sound like butter on “Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered”. I wanted to sing “Over The Rainbow’ because the arrangement is so unexpected. It’s a slow Bossa Nova with lush strings. It’s such an iconic song, so we wanted to do something completely new with it.
This tour stops at the world famous Royal Albert Hall, which has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and others. How do you feel walking in the footsteps of these legends?
To ever be associated with Frank Sinatra or The Beatles is a special honor and a total treat. I was lucky enough to meet Sir Paul McCartney last year, so it’s even a more personal honor now. This will be our return to Royal Albert Hall. We performed for the Royal Family on Remembrance Day in 2019. Performing within those sacred walls was the thrill and privilege of a lifetime. I can’t wait to do it again.
With more than 50 musicians set to join you on stage, what can audiences expect from this performance? How do you plan to incorporate the orchestra into the show?
Audiences are in for something special. This is a one-of-a-kind show, built from the ground up so the orchestra and band feel like a single unit rather than an orchestra added around the band. We’ve also chosen some fun new songs. Our arrangers and orchestrators are extraordinary, and I’m deeply grateful for what they’ve created. We’ve woven in songs from Wicked, Willy Wonka, and a few other cinematic surprises. Playing piano with a full orchestra is incredibly moving, and it’s honestly hard to put into words. I get emotional just thinking about it.
The World Tour Dates
28 May Wolverhampton, UK, UW At The Halls
30 May Dublin, IRE, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
1 June Glasgow, UK, Theatre Royal
3 June Manchester, UK, Palace Theatre
30 June London, UK, Royal Albert Hall
2 July Madrid, ES, Venue TBA
5 July Barcelona, ES, Auditori Fòrum CCIB
7 July Antwerp, BE, Queen Elizabeth Hall
9 July Paris, FR, Salle Pleyel
Tickets are on sale now and for more information, please visit jeffgoldblum.decca.com
The Night Blooms World Tour promises to be a sparkling celebration featuring Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at their most playful and creatively adventurous yet.
