Dancing Trombonist Goes Viral (Again) for Stealing the Show at Wedding: 'Absolute Diva' (Exclusive)
Jonathan Arons, the "dancing trombonist," was the life of the party at a wedding reception
Jonathan Arons
Dancing trombonist Jonathan Arons steals the show at a weddingJonathan Arons, who is also known as the "dancing trombonist," stole the show at a wedding reception on Nov. 15
The Grammy-winning musician and entertainer wowed wedding guests with his animated trombone playing and high-energy moves that took over the dance floor
This isn't the first time Arons has gone viral for his performances, as he's played alongside several celebrities and appeared on his fair share of television shows
It's normal to hire a band for a wedding. But it's not-so-normal for the trombonist to play while doing the splits or to gallop atop his instrument like it's a horse.
But that's exactly what trombonist, singer and dancer Jonathan Arons did at the reception of Ian Anderson and Isabella Russo's wedding at the Crystal Plaza in New Jersey on Nov. 15. He performed with DJ service Unique Musique led by MC Larry Gold, joined by DJ Dean Masi, saxophonist Lil' Maceo and violinist Emily Simone.
"Imagine hiring a band for your wedding and getting this absolute DIVA," wedding attendee Carlie Dreux Lenskold captioned a video compilation of Arons' wild performance in which he danced and played the trombone while on his back, feet and nearly every other body part.
"I always give 110% whether it's a wedding, backing up a major artist, performing my solo show, or jamming in the street with buskers," Arons tells PEOPLE. "I maintain my energy with diet and exercise, but also because I believe in the power of music."
The party began with the DJ spinning remixes of Bee Gees' "More Than a Woman" and George Benson's "Gimme the Night." After playing some Millennial and GenZ crowd favorites, there was a strong set of '90s music, including hits from the Backstreet Boys. At one point, Arons sang along to Rik Rok and Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me."
"The crowd was amazing," Arons recalls. "They came to party and have a good time. That means different things to different people. They just happened to be a little on the wild side, and all for it haha."
When things winded down, Arons played more laid-back country music. But he never lost his high energy.
"Every time I perform is a declaration of war against Saturday Night Live, Napoleon Dynamite, and Jim Carrey dancing tropes that you can be as shamelessly soulful and rhythmic as you want to be, if you own your experience and struggle regardless of the type," Arons says. "Because at the end of the day it's music and art that brings people together for a feeling, not a product, nor belief system."
This isn't the first time Arons has gone viral for his animated performances and meme-worthy thrusting hips. The Grammy-winning musician and America's Got Talent semifinalist has received widespread recognition for being the "dancing trombonist." He's played with Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Pharrell Williams, and more as a member of Chops Horns and Dancing with the Stars orchestra directed by Ray Chew. He's also been performing alongside disco queen Gloria Gaynor since 2007.
He has additionally appeared on Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as the "dancing trombonist!" Last year, he played a lot with the brass band Triad Brass and they even won "best subway act" on Good Morning America for their choreography and arrangement of The Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men."
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For others hoping to be the life of the party, Arons' advice is simple.
"You don't have to be drunk or high to let your freak flag fly when you're around people you love, or you love what you do, or you leave it ALL out on the dance floor," he says. "It's primal if you let it be. You just have to let go of your self consciousness, and really become whoever you want to be when that beat drops."
Arons is currently performing group and solo gigs, and is also a part of Don Casino Entertainment for headlining on cruise ships. Like they did last year, Arons and the Triad Brass will return to Times Square on New Year's Eve for a special street performance to ring in the new year.
"It's been and continues to be a wild journey," Arons says.
