EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jeff Goldblum on Night Blooms, Wicked, and Bringing His Orchestra to Glasgow

There are few performers who move as seamlessly between Hollywood and the jazz stage as Jeff Goldblum. Fresh from the success of his album Still Blooming—which landed at No.10 on the UK charts—and his scene-stealing turn as the Wizard in Wicked, Goldblum is stepping back behind the piano for his latest musical chapter.

With the release of Night Blooms on the horizon, he and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are taking the show on the road, bringing a full orchestral spectacle to UK audiences—including a highly anticipated Glasgow date. Expect jazz standards, cinematic moments and a touch of theatrical magic.

We caught up with Jeff to talk touring, collaborations, and what audiences can expect…

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 favourites 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 Evrytime 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 rich history with music and bands. I feel honored 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 honored 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?

“I’m wildly grateful to have a career in acting and music. They work well together and compliment 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. 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 life time. 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?

“I think audiences are in for a real treat. This is a one of a kind presentation. We are not just sculpting an orchestra show around our band. We started from scratch in order to make the orchestra and the band one entity. We also picked some new and very fun songs. All the arrangers and orchestrators are the best in the world, and I’m overflowing with gratitude for what they’ve achieved with this harlequinade. We scatter in songs from Wicked, Willy Wonka, and there are several other surprise nods to cinema. It’s truly moving for me to be playing piano with a full orchestra. The experience is kind of tough to put into words. I’m getting misty just thinking about it.”