Bandleader Alex Donner Recounts Dual Life as Divorce Lawyer and Wedding Musician

Alex Donner, a prominent bandleader known for orchestrating high-society events, has revealed his surprising past as a divorce lawyer who also performed in a wedding band. Donner recounted this juxtaposition of careers while performing recently at La Goulue, a venue on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

According to Joan Jedell, publisher of Hampton Sheet, Donner shared personal stories between musical sets. "Donner told some life stories between tunes — like when he was doing divorces during the week as a lawyer and weddings on weekends with the band," Jedell told Page Six. Donner's musical repertoire includes songs from the Great American Songbook by composers such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter.

Donner, an alumnus of Princeton University, the Sorbonne, and Fordham Law, confirmed the dual nature of his former career. "Yes, I started out doing divorces during the week as an attorney, weddings on the weekend with my band," he stated. He recalled a specific instance where he played a "second time around wedding" for a divorce client, an event described as the largest destination wedding in India's history, hosted by the Maharajah of Jaipur. This experience, he said, led him to pursue music full-time.

Over his career, Donner has performed at approximately 1,000 weddings and 500 benefits. He noted having met notable figures such as Leonard Bernstein, former President Donald Trump, Joan Collins, Rudy Giuliani, and Queen Noor. He continues to enjoy his work in music.

Donner's recent performances at La Goulue have reportedly sold out, with additional shows scheduled. He has also played at large events in Los Angeles, some of which are subject to non-disclosure agreements. While producers have expressed interest in turning his life story into a film, Donner has previously been too occupied with his career to consider the possibility.