Jeff Goldblum‘s journey from actor to jazz musician has taken him from iconic film roles to acclaimed performances onstage and in the studio. Known for his intelligence and eccentricity as an actor in movies such as Jurassic Park and Independence Day, Goldblum is now equally dedicated to jazz, performing and recording with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, and drawing an impressive roster of collaborators to his latest album.
Although Goldblum’s reputation was built in Hollywood, music has always played a recurring role in his life. Away from the film sets, he finds solace at the piano, immersing himself in the world of jazz. This duality came to the fore last year in the film Wicked, where he portrayed the Wizard of Oz, blending his theatrical and musical talents. The upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good, promises even more musical exploration and showmanship.
A Lifelong Connection to Music
While Still Blooming is only his fourth studio album as a recording artist, music has been a thread running through Jeff Goldblum’s life since his teenage years in Pittsburgh. He reminisces about early days playing local gigs as a young, energetic musician, and his parents’ support as they drove him to these engagements. Over the years, music became a continuous companion, even as his acting career accelerated, and he performed regularly in a Hollywood nightclub when his schedule allowed.
Currently, Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra—a group of seasoned musicians—are touring in both the United States and Europe, bringing their unique jazz stylings to a growing audience. Goldblum’s commitment to his craft is clear.
“I’m getting more passionate about it. And yes, I do take it seriously. I practiced today and I start my day with about an hour of work, and it changes my day, and it enhances my life—thanks to Shirley Goldblum once again, and Harold Goldblum,”
he says, expressing gratitude to his parents, just before a performance at New York’s Bowery Ballroom.
“They really did a good job.”
—Jeff Goldblum, Actor and Musician
Musical Influences and Inspirations
Goldblum’s jazz education has been ongoing, shaped by his bandmates and by exposure to the classic artists in Verve Records’ history. Speaking from the label’s Manhattan offices—a stone’s throw from his earliest acting audition at Columbus Circle—he reflects on the unexpected intersections between his creative pursuits. Today, Goldblum feels a sense of good fortune to be a part of the Verve legacy, which includes legends such as Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and Roland Kirk, and modern stars like Jon Batiste.
He recalls,
“It was a parallel passion, but not one that I had my career hopes around. My parents gave us four kids music lessons, like good parents. … And then I started to call cocktail lounges around Pittsburgh when I was 15. It tickled my parents. They drove me there. And that’s how that started.”
Jazz, for Goldblum, began with a spark from his piano teacher, Tommy Emmel, who introduced him to jazz pieces. The rhythm, syncopation, and harmonies fascinated him, encouraging him to practice and perform at local venues. Despite a lack of early discipline, his love for jazz steadily deepened. This passion later interwove with his acting; Goldblum would occasionally play piano in films like Earth Girls Are Easy and The Fly, adding layers to his performances.
Eventually, a suggestion by Peter Weller—his co-star in Buckaroo Banzai and a fellow musician—set Goldblum on the path to regular live jazz gigs. As Goldblum recalls, Weller relayed advice from jazz great Miles Davis:
“you and Jeff should get together with other musicians and have a gig, even just once a week if you’re not acting. And you’ll get better and it’ll be fun.”
The Role of Hollywood and Iconic Characters
Goldblum’s acting career started with small roles, including his debut as a criminal in Death Wish, auditioned for in the heart of Manhattan. He views each role as a vital step: every early part, no matter how minor, added texture to the fabric of his journey. He observed that acting teacher Sandy Meisner once told him it takes two decades of continuous work to be able to call oneself an actor, a lesson he found inspiring as achievements accumulated, from bit parts in ‘70s classics like Nashville and Annie Hall to starring roles in The Fly and numerous Wes Anderson projects.
Despite his success on screen, Goldblum has always maintained that his focus was on acting, but fate, timing, and a sense of adventure brought him to music’s thriving world.
“It was acting that I always had my heart set on to have a career at. I don’t believe in astrology, but what cosmic mystery resulted in me—with my passion, but non-careerist adventure musically—that I should wind up in the most prestigious, beautiful place with the cream of the crop people? Color me grateful because that’s what I am.”
Shaping a Sound: The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and Their Audience
The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, with Goldblum at its helm, has carved out an identity rooted in jazz standards and approachable arrangements. Goldblum admits that the group plays music for both seasoned jazz lovers and new listeners, offering renditions of songs from the American songbook and jazz history. He notes that while jazz can sometimes have a reputation for being complex or self-indulgent, his band focuses on pieces
“very enjoyable and accessible, let’s call it, but special.”
They bravely tackle tunes by legends like Thelonious Monk, and Goldblum has taken up singing bebop classics such as Bud Powell’s “Bouncing With Bud”—his growth as a musician is evident in each project. He names Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Erroll Garner, Bill Evans, and Bud Powell as inspirations, pointing to the band’s collective drive to continually explore jazz’s depths.
Collaborating with a Star-Studded Cast
Still Blooming showcases Goldblum’s ability to draw big names from stage and screen into his musical orbit. Guest vocalists on the album include Scarlett Johansson, who performs
“The Best Is Yet to Come,”
and Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
“Ariana has a lot of experience making hit records. She has a great little laugh at the end of her song,”
Goldblum shares, appreciating the natural joy in their sessions.
Goldblum describes the collaboration as organic rather than a calculated crossover.
“I don’t go into any of these things saying, ‘How am I going to poach one part of my life and use it for another?’ No, it just kind of happens. Although now we do have wish lists.”
He dreamily mentions hoping to one day work with artists like Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Jacob Collier, and Lady Gaga, inspired after a fresh listen to Gaga’s work with Tony Bennett.
The Impact of Films and the Enduring Power of Pop Culture
Goldblum has participated in projects that have become cultural phenomena, such as Jurassic Park and Independence Day. He recognizes that Hollywood, in its pursuit of blockbusters and sequels, continues to build on the enduring popularity of such franchises. He admires the original work of Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg and is enthusiastic for future installments, even referencing new cast members like Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey.
His sense of showmanship is rooted in a lifelong appreciation of theatrical training: movement, dance, and voice have always fascinated him. Watching the original Wicked, knowing the ties between composer Stephen Schwartz and Carnegie Mellon University, deepened his connection. Emotional moments backstage with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth underscored how important the story of The Wizard of Oz is to his own life.
Participating in the Wicked films, thanks to producer Marc Platt and director Jon M. Chu, felt like a full-circle moment. The enthusiastic response from fans and critics alike has been both humbling and gratifying for Goldblum, who reflects on the complex facets of the Wizard and the challenges of the character.
Lifelong Growth and Artistic Fulfillment
As Goldblum continues to pursue projects across music and film, he appreciates the balance between artistic adventure and public acclaim. He observes the shifting landscape of pop culture awareness, noting that earlier in his career, issues like opening weekend grosses or aggregate review sites were far less central than creative expression.
He is energized by fan interactions, often prompted on the street by his association with memorable roles. Goldblum finds excitement in variety, from visually striking projects like Thor: Ragnarok and Netflix’s Kaos, where he plays Zeus, to more nuanced, character-driven parts. His plate, by his own admission, remains full, and he remains focused on the creative task at hand rather than strategic crossovers or calculated moves.
A Lasting Legacy Returns to Its Roots
Jeff Goldblum’s journey from actor to jazz musician has come full circle, making the most of every opportunity, whether in the glitz of Hollywood or the intimacy of a jazz club. Each chapter—his teenage gigs in Pittsburgh, cinematic achievements, star collaborations, and world tours—adds to his evolving artistry. Through both triumphs and tongue-in-cheek self-reflection, Goldblum has forged a path that honors his roots and embraces new adventures, all while inviting fans old and new to join the ride. As his story continues, his music—and the stories behind it—promise even more moments where genres and lives beautifully intertwine.
