There are myriad reasons to attend ARTS by George!, and on October 3 at George Mason University, Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra delivered the promise of an unforgettable evening in full.
The annual benefit that supports scholarships and arts programs at George Mason began with impressive showcases of student talent throughout the College of Visual and Performing Arts. From music and theater to dance, film, visual art and game design, creativity is thriving at George Mason University. Rick Davis, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, kicked off the evening’s concert by introducing GMU alum Adelina Mitchell, currently touring the nation as the Elphaba standby in Wicked. Mitchell spoke of the education and opportunities she received at George Mason before singing a beautiful rendition of “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
Davis took the stage once more to introduce Jeff Goldblum, and the man of the hour sauntered nonchalantly into the spotlight, delighting in his ability to enthrall the audience. Goldblum beamed with unmistakable mischief and charisma as he shared stories about his upbringing in Pittsburgh and the impact of arts education in his life. He also provided some expectations for what the jazz concert experience may be, most notably the improvisational nature of the song structures. The band joined on stage to open the set with the tune “Grease Patrol,” featuring every member of the band.
The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra is composed of Alex Frank as band leader and bass player, Graham Dechter on guitar, Joe Bagg on organ, Ryan Shaw on drums, and Scott Gilman on tenor saxophone. Jeff Goldblum served as lead vocalist, piano player, and emcee of the evening, introducing each song and welcoming guest musicians throughout the program. He brought his unmistakable personality to a program of jazz standards and American Songbook favorites. Their playing was relaxed and expressive, while Goldblum’s quirky humor and spontaneous stage presence made the concert feel less like a formal performance and more like an intimate musical conversation.
The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra is a first-rate ensemble, capable of swinging effortlessly from sophisticated arrangements to exuberant passages that filled the concert hall with energy. A particular highlight was special guest vocalist Khailah Johnson, with her powerful and richly expressive voice adding another dimension to the evening. Her presence gave several numbers an extra spark and provided a terrific vocal counterpoint to Goldblum’s understated piano style. My favorite of the night was their rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Lover” with Johnson on lead vocals.
The concert also featured George Mason students Jeremy Fagen on saxophone, Phillip Todd on vibraphone, and Silas Lewis on guitar to join in a rendition of “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.” This moment was especially fitting in the context of ARTS by George!, connecting the evening’s celebrated headliner with the students whose artistic futures the benefit is designed to support.
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra brought exactly what the occasion called for: virtuosity without pretension, old-fashioned showmanship with a contemporary sense of fun, and music that left the audience smiling. With Khailah Johnson adding a memorable vocal presence and Mason’s emerging artists providing the evening’s heart, the 2026 ARTS by George! proved to be a fitting and thoroughly enjoyable celebration of the power of the arts.
ARTS by George! took place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at George Mason University, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, Virginia.
SEE ALSO:
Getting to fly at work is pretty cool’: Adelina Mitchell, Elphaba standby and alumni performer for ‘ARTS by George!’ (interview by Julia Tucker, September 27, 2026)
