Celebrated trumpeter Dr. Jesse McGuire faced the kind of problem no musician wants in the middle of his MLB performance Saturday in Phoenix. His trumpet gave out while he was playing the national anthem.
But McGuire didn’t stop. The 68-year-old musician switched instruments, from his trumpet to his own voice, and finished “The Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella before the Arizona Diamondbacks’ win over the visiting New York Yankees.
MLB Fans Join In as McGuire Keeps Going
The unexpected transition quickly turned into a memorable moment inside the ballpark. Crowd members joined McGuire in singing the anthem, and when it ended, he received a standing ovation.
McGuire’s quick response was impressive enough. Then fans discovered he could really sing.
“The man has a voice!” one supporter wrote on X. “Well done, Dr. McGuire!”
“The man has quite the voice,” another wrote. “He did a great job.”
In fact, the transition from trumpet to vocals went so smoothly that at least one person wondered whether the whole thing had been planned.
“Oh, I thought they planned it that way,” the fan remarked.
McGuire looked comfortable behind the microphone for a reason. According to his website, he is also a vocalist, in addition to his extensive work as a trumpeter. McGuire previously served as lead trumpeter for New York’s Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
A Familiar Face From Arizona’s 2001 Championship Run
His appearance at the Diamondbacks game also carried some history.
Arizona was commemorating the 25th anniversary of its 2001 World Series victory over the Yankees, and McGuire had become a familiar presence during that championship run.
The Phoenix native performed the national anthem before several important Diamondbacks games that postseason, including the decisive Game 7 of the World Series. Arizona defeated New York in that game to capture the championship.
McGuire’s association with the team didn’t end there. He later received a World Series ring for his contributions, and he appeared to be wearing it during Saturday’s appearance in Phoenix.
From the Daytona 500 to a Super Bowl Parade
His career has also taken him well beyond Diamondbacks games. McGuire has performed at the Daytona 500 and NBA playoff games, and he took part in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl parade in 2018.
On Saturday, however, the memorable part of his performance was something nobody necessarily expected to hear.
When the trumpet stopped working, McGuire didn’t need another horn, a restart, or a reserve player.
He had another instrument ready all along.
