In the latest issue of Music Week, Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum graces our cover to give us the inside story of his solo album. Christened The Capitol Studios Sessions, Goldblum’s debut – a collection of standards, featuring guest appearances from Imelda May, Sarah Silverman, Till Brönner and Haley Reinhart – is set to be released on November 9 via Decca in the UK and Verve in the US.
Inside our exclusive feature, the Jurassic Park star spills the beans on the album, while Decca president Rebecca Allen and the rest of the team behind it take us inside the grand plans for the campaign.
Speaking to Music Week, Goldblum explained how music – jazz in particular – has always played a big role in his life, albeit one that’s gone somewhat “under the radar”, tracing his journey from early piano lessons through to sneaking his chops into films like The Fly. It was, however, a chance appearance on the Graham Norton Show – playing piano accompaniment to Gregory Porter – that precipitated Goldblum's deal with Decca.
While Goldblum and his group, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, have long played a weekly residency at the Rockwell in LA, the star denied that he had secretly been champing at the bit to record an album.
“Through the years people had suggested it here and there, but not as seriously as this. I always just said, ‘Oh, I don’t know.’” said Goldblum. “It was only Decca who really sounded serious and interested in making something. Tom [Lewis, director of A&R, Decca] and Rebecca [Allen, president, Decca] came over and we had a meeting, and they were so lovely, and were exciting to talk to.”
The next goal is to spread awareness of the album to his legions of fans, which will include live dates. Excluding his surprise appearance playing the public piano at London's St. Pancras International Station, Goldblum’s first official UK shows will take place at Ronnie Scott’s and the other at Cadogan Hall as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival in November. The Decca/Verve teams have both hailed Goldblum’s dedication in freeing up time from his career for promotion and touring. Goldblum is very much open to the latter.
“I would love to do as much as I can,” Goldblum told Music Week. “I get a big kick out of it. As long as [my family] can come with me here and there and I’m not missing out on any of my acting career, then I’d like to. It’s spectacularly fun for me.”
Goldblum was quick to stress that his first impression of the music industry has been resoundingly positive so far.
“I’m just a baby at this point!” he said. “I’ll know more in a little bit, but so far, if Decca is representative, it couldn’t be populated with nicer, more intelligent, gracious, sensitive, generous and creative people.”
Subscribers can read the full Jeff Goldblum feature here. The Capitol Studios Sessions is available on 9. [Photo: Pari Dukovic]
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