Jeff Goldblum Brings Jazz Orchestra to Canada's Capital

The 46th annual Ottawa Jazz Festival will welcome one of Hollywood’s most distinctive actors when Jeff Goldblum arrives in June with an orchestra for a performance that blends cinema stardom with genuine musical artistry.

A Festival Reimagined

The festival runs from June 19 to 28 and introduces significant changes to its format. For the first time, Confederation Park will host two stages, with the newly added Elgin St. Stage positioned between Elgin Street and the Lieutenant Colonel John By Fountain. This redesign allows all festivities to remain in one central location, creating what organizers describe as a true musical hub.

Executive and Artistic Director Petr Cancura explained that the Ottawa Jazz Festival serves as a place where audiences and artists meet on equal ground, where the music is raw, generous, and deeply human. The festival celebrates both traditional jazz forms and innovation existing side by side.

The Actor as Musician

Goldblum launched the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago, establishing a musical career that has run parallel to his six-decade acting journey. The group specializes in contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American Songbook standards, performing for audiences throughout the United States and internationally.

The orchestra has released three albums with Decca Records, all featuring notable guest artists. The ensemble’s third album, Still Blooming, includes guest vocals from Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Scarlett Johansson and Maiya Sykes. Previous recordings have featured contributions from Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Kelly Clarkson, Gregory Porter, Haley Reinhart, Imelda May and Freda Payne.

Goldblum will perform on Saturday, June 20, at 8:30 p.m. on the Main Stage in Confederation Park.

Beyond Jurassic Park

While many know him from blockbuster films, Goldblum’s recent work demonstrates his range. He currently co-stars as The Wizard of Oz alongside Grande and Erivo in the critically acclaimed global box office success “Wicked”. His film credits span from ensemble pieces like “The Big Chill” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” to box office behemoths including “Independence Day,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Thor Ragnarok.”

On television, Goldblum recently starred in the Netflix limited series “KAOS” and received Emmy nominations for his work on “Will and Grace” and for his National Geographic/Disney Plus series “The World According to Jeff Goldblum,” which he also executive produced. His theater work includes Broadway productions of “The Pillowman” and “Domesticated,” plus London’s production of “Speed the Plow.”

As a filmmaker, he earned an Oscar nomination as director for his short feature “Little Surprises”.

Jeff Goldblum will host the Ottawa Jazz Festival

An Eclectic Lineup

Goldblum headlines a diverse first wave of artists including WILLOW, KOKOROKO, Salin and the Soul Rebels. Other confirmed performers include Ibrahim Maalouf, The Dip, Kassa Overall, Avishai Cohen Big Vicious, Larnell Lewis Band featuring Joy Lapps, Myra Melford’s Fire & Water Quintet, Brandon Woody’s UPENDO, The Free Label, Flore Laurentienne, The Ostara Project, daltonists, Charley Rose Trio, Stéphane Wrembel Quartet, Dálava, Norma Winstone with the Atlantic Jazz Collective, and The Plastic Waste Band.

Enhanced Festival Experience

The 2026 edition brings changes beyond the addition of a second stage. The festival has redesigned its Premium Lounge, formerly known as the Gold Circle Tent, to feature flexible seating, an expanded bar, artisanal cocktails, and a relaxed atmosphere. The Premium Pass has been reimagined to offer more single-ticket availability and advance seat selection for select National Arts Centre performances.

Pass options include premium lounge access, up-front spotlight seating, general admission and youth pricing for attendees aged 11 to 21. Tickets went on sale January 15 at 10 a.m. ET, with additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Goldblum Performance Style

The group is known for a crowd-pleasing take on jazz and American Songbook standards, which Goldblum typically punctuates with comic asides. This blend of world-class musicianship with the actor’s natural charm creates performances that are both stylish and playful, offering audiences an evening that celebrates American musical traditions through a distinctive contemporary lens.