Music at Princeton

Your Jan. 16 music issue stirred many memories of concerts attended in the early ’70s, but it was your profile of Stanley Jordan ’81 (“Profiles in music”) that reminded me of the time that, as the administrator working with the Madison Society, which served meals in Chancellor Green in the late ’70s and early ’80s, I was looking for musicians to play at Friday dinners.

I was given the name of a senior who was purportedly a talented guitarist — Stanley Jordan. So I called him up in his room and asked if he’d be willing to play for the students during dinner. He agreed, and I asked how much he would charge. As I recall, his answer was basically: “Whatever.” Mindful of our limited budget, I offered an amount I hoped would be acceptable: $40. Without hesitation, he again agreed, and we were treated to a wonderful performance in his signature two-handed guitar-neck style.

About 20 years later, as a renowned jazz guitarist, he was a featured performer at McCarter Theatre. I smile when I think about the cost of my ­single ticket that night: $40.