As the opening act, Tyreek McDole, was just finishing up, Jeff Goldblum arrived on stage while his show was still being prepared. He took the opportunity to deliver a one-man show, to pass the time as the hall emptied for a short break.
And then it was off to a monologue, in which he jumps from one idea to the other, always with a touch of humour. He even got the crowd to sing the Quebec and Canadian anthems, as he acted as conductor in Salle Wilfried-Pelletier, which sold out its 3,000 seats without too much difficulty.
He added some name-dropping to his stories, but it was, above all, the impromptu quizzes throughout the evening that appealed to the audience, who challenged themselves to answer all his questions. He also took the opportunity to promote his latest film, Wicked, in which he stars alongside Ariana Grande, among others, as well as his latest opus, Still Blooming, released last April.
He arrives accompanied by his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, featuring a guitarist, double bassist, drummer, saxophonist and organist.
From the very first track, we discover a rather gifted pianist—I admit I was a little skeptical at first. He remains theatrical even on his piano, offering us a round of solos by all the musicians, followed by a drop, a term I discovered this week thanks to an artist with whom I collaborate.
Three special guests took to the stage alongside her that evening: the incredible Khailah Johnson, whom I was just discovering, all dressed in yellow, whose voice reminded me of Amy Winehouse’s in her early days. She performed “Misty, Mean to Me” and then “The Best is Yet to Come,” in which the sax is replaced by a flute.
Then Tyreek McDole returned to the stage, this time accompanied by Goldblum’s orchestra for two songs, and finally, renowned Grammy-winning American trumpeter Keyon Harrold, whom he had met that very day, joined the band. Harrold succeeded in creating a symbiotic relationship with the saxophonist, as if they had always played together.
And even in between songs, Goldblum couldn’t resist telling us some anecdotes, as funny as ever, getting up from his chair to address the audience, before returning for the next song.
We hear him sing his turn on “Manhattan,” New York being a city he’s particularly fond of. His voice isn’t extraordinary, but he still manages to hold his notes while retaining his sense of humour, a true entertainer. He ended with a song of circumstance, “Ev’ry Time We say Goodbye,” which earned him applause and a standing ovation from the audience.
Photo : Victor Diaz Lamich
