The Trumpet Player Who Said Van Sang “Like A Preacher One Second, A Ghost The Next”

April 1, 2025

In a small, dimly lit café on the corner of Duke Street, a trumpet player named Marcus stood backstage, clutching his instrument, waiting for the moment to take the stage. The air was thick with excitement and the smell of fresh coffee, but his mind was swirling with thoughts of the legendary Van Morrison. Just the night before, Marcus had watched Van perform a mesmerizing set, and he couldn’t shake the memory of how the singer had transformed on stage. He remembered vividly how Van sang “Like a preacher one second, a ghost the next.” Those words echoed in Marcus’s mind like a haunting melody, reminding him of the power of music to stir one’s soul and connect deeply with others.

As Van belted out a soulful anthem, he shifted seamlessly from uplifting verses that felt like a sermon, filled with hope and conviction, to soft, haunting choruses that evoked a feeling of longing and loss. It was as if he had opened a door to his innermost thoughts, showcasing both the light and shadow of the human experience. Marcus was captivated. He’d been playing trumpet for years, always striving to evoke such emotional depths through his own music, but seeing Van live made him realize how far he still had to go. It ignited a fire in him, a promise to dig deeper, to be more vulnerable.

After the show, Marcus found himself walking alongside Van as they left the venue. Nervous but determined, he approached the legendary artist and shared his admiration. To his surprise, Van stopped and listened intently, his eyes shining with the same passion that drove his music. They spoke about the challenges of being an artist, and Van shared stories from his early days, emphasizing the importance of resilience. “Every note I play has a story,” he said, his voice rich and textured. “Embrace the struggle; it’s what makes the triumph sweeter.” Inspired, Marcus took those words to heart, realizing that every performance was an opportunity to tell his own story.

The next few weeks were transformative for Marcus. He began experimenting with his trumpet, blending jazz, blues, and even a touch of rock into his music. Each practice session felt like a journey of self-discovery. He learned to channel his experiences—the joy of love, the pain of heartbreak, the thrilling uncertainty of life—into every note he played. His friends noticed the change: his music became richer, more vibrant, resonating with a passion that was infectious. They encouraged him to share his gift, to perform at local gigs, and with every performance, he felt the audience connect with him in a profound way.

Eventually, Marcus was invited to play at a larger venue, a night that would be etched in his memory forever. Standing on that stage, he could feel the energy of the crowd surging through him, much like the energy he felt that night while watching Van. He remembered how Van had danced between hope and haunting, and he decided to embrace that dichotomy in his own set. As he played, he poured his heart out, offering the audience a glimpse into his soul—his triumphs, his failures, and his dreams. The cheers at the end were thunderous, and for a moment, he felt as if he were truly flying.

In that moment, Marcus understood what it meant to be an artist. It wasn’t just about playing the right notes; it was about sharing a piece of oneself with the world. Inspired by Van, he continued to pursue his passion for music, using it to inspire others just as he had been inspired. The trumpet player who once stood in the shadows of the café had found his voice, and he knew he would carry the spirit of that night and the lessons learned from it into every performance for years to come. Music had woven itself into the very fabric of his life, reminding him that every note played was a testament to resilience, passion, and the magic of shared experience.