From swing to soul, Jeff Goldblum picks his eight favourite records

Jeff Goldblum is a jazzy guy. It’s been that way since the smooth funk and fusion of the 1970s; the decade the actor broke onto the big screen. He’s been playing boogie-woogie and the blues on piano for over half a century, he founded and fronts a lively jazz band — The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra — and even brought his mellifluous, melodious brand of conversation to Gentleman’s Journal back in 2017.

His debut album was spun out the year after he covered our magazine, in 2018. ‘The Capitol Studios Sessions’ featured such standards as “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “Me and My Shadow”, and was followed by another record, ‘I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This’, the following year. This year, Goldblum’s back with a seasonal single, ‘The Christmas Waltz’.

Which got us to thinking; with such an eclectic, eccentric musical back catalogue, which performers — and specific singles — have influenced the entertainer over time? Here, we ask the actor for his top eight records…

Originally released in 1958, this spirited instrumental was written and initially performed by Clark — the quintessential hard bop pianist. Covered many times over the years, the original recording remains the best.

Goldblum says: “We play this one with our band. Sonny came from a small town near Pittsburgh, my hometown. The head for Blue Minor is very hip, and by association, that makes us hip”.

Written by legendary lyricists and producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller during the 1960s, this piece of placid pop was one of Peggy Lee’s finest records — from a career that spanned over seven celebrated decades.

Goldblum says: Peggy asks the right question, and more importantly, has the correct answer. “Is that all there is, is that all there is? If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing”. Exactly.

The gold-standard of jazz standards, “Misty” was written by Garner in 1954 — composed as an instrumental for his acclaimed album, ‘Constrasts’. Versions with lyrics were subsequently released by, among others, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Goldblum says: “Another hometown hero, Pittsburgh pianist Erroll Garner was one of my earliest exposures to jazz. If you like octaves as much as I do, check out this tune!”

From the 1937 coming-of-age musical Babes in Arms, this show tune has appeared on over 1300 albums performed by over 600 artists. It became trumpeter Chet Baker’s signature song (Baker appears further down this list), but Goldblum prefers Miles Davis’ take on the tune.

Goldblum says: “At one time, this song was my morning alarm on one of those bedside CD players. I’ve never been the same since”.

Written by Wright in 1970 and performed by the performer’s Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, this hoppy, boppy number is a foot-tapping, finger-snapping classic. Nominated for a Grammy Award and featured across film and television for the last half-century, it’s been sampled by musicians from N.W.A to Labrinth.

Goldblum says: “Simply put, a credo to live by”.

Strange and off-centre, the first listen of “Epistrophy” is likely to throw you for a loop. But, with Messrs Monk and Coltrane at the syncopated, harmonious helm, repeat spins will shore up any uncertainty — and reveal this composition for the masterpiece it is. 

Goldblum says: “An epistrophe (Monk purposely spelled it wrong) is the repetition of phrases or words in a set of clauses, sentences, or poetic lines. It’s also a jazz tune that is very difficult to solo on, but clearly not for Monk and Coltrane.

The most successful and recognisable recording of a Motown classic, this uptempo arrangement by Wonder was released in 1968. Recorded a year earlier, it was shelved for months after label founder Berry Gordy expressed displeasure at its bouncier nature.

Goldblum says: “This is a perfect pop song, which expresses a feeling most of us search for, and hopefully find”.

To round off Goldblum’s list, the actor chooses another jazz standard — and another song covered scores of times since its writing in 1943 (for the Mary Martin film, Happy Go Lucky). But, though Johnny Nash, Van Morrison and more have released versions, Chet Baker’s take is the performer’s preferred interpretation.

Goldblum says: “Both Chet Baker’s voice and trumpet are clear, calm, raw and direct. This is small combo cool jazz at its best. It’s a perfect anniversary song; trust me on this one”.

Want other famous performers’ playlists? Here, Jamie Cullum shares his top 10 tracks…

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