This is the coolest thing we learnt today: Jeff Goldblum set to release debut jazz album
People may know Jeff Goldblum for being the best person a casting agent can approach to play an eccentric role in any big-budget film (remember when he achieved 'peak Goldblum' in Thor: Ragnarok?). We might also recognize him for his infamously puffed chest on Isla Nublar in Jurassic Park, something that turned him into an Internet meme 20 years after.
But a little-known fact about the fantastic actor is that he's a superb jazz pianist. Before you wrap your head around that, you should know that the man and the legend that is Jeff Goldblum has confirmed that he will be releasing his debut jazz album in 2018. There’s no title yet, but it’s due out later this year via Universal’s own classic label Decca, reports CoS.
According to a Universal press release, the story goes that record executives caught him performing alongside Gregory Porter on The Graham Norton Show last November, where the two collaborated on “Mona Lisa”, and were so impressed that they immediately flew out to Los Angeles to meet the actor.
“As far as I can tell, everyone loves Jeff Goldblum,” director of A&R at Decca, Tom Lewis states in the release.
“He’s a fantastic jazz pianist, a great band leader and just about the loveliest man in the world. His love of jazz is infectious and whenever he plays he makes you feel very happy. If we can take Jeff’s music into people’s homes then we will be helping, in our own small way, to make the world a happier place.”
The feeling’s mutual, as Goldblum adds in his own bizarre distinctive style, “I’m so happy to be in cahoots with the wonderful people at Decca, one of the coolest and most prestigious labels of all time.”
As the Guardian notes, Goldblum learned classical piano as a child before switching to jazz and played in cocktail lounges in Pittsburgh from the age of 15. He has played ever since, and regularly performs jazz standards with his band, the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, named after a family friend – though he has never before recorded his work for release.
Of course, you’ll have to wait until later this year to hear Goldblum, but here’s some good news: Goldblum will soon appear in Universal’s forthcoming, 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom', where he reprises his role as the meme-worthy Ian Malcolm for a third time. He'll also be featuring in the science-fiction ensemble thriller 'Hotel Artemis' alongside Jodie Foster, and 1950s period drama 'The Mountain.'
What an exciting time to be a Jeff Goldblum fan!