PORT TOWNSEND — Bass singer Harvey Montgomery will be the featured performer at the Port Townsend Friends Meetinghouse on Saturday.
The meetings convene the second Saturday of each month at the Meetinghouse, 1841 Sheridan St.
Saturday’s events will begin at 7 p.m. with a dessert social. Montgomery will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
There is a suggested donation of $5 to $50, with no one turned away for lack of funds. The money will go toward paying the mortgage on the Meetinghouse.
“There is no one else in the community who can sing in his style as if born to it — as he was,” said Sydney Keegan, a voice coach based in Port Townsend who has performed in the past with Montgomery.
Montgomery specializes in performing without accompaniment in styles rooted in a lifelong appreciation of church music and gospel and the American music veins of Motown and smooth jazz, organizers said.
He started singing when he was about 9 years old — starting in his church choir — and has continued to be involved with church music presentation for almost 60 years.
Montgomery said he was inspired to sing by one of his cousins, whom he describes as having been “a spectacular vocalist.”
God-given ability
Montgomery has never taken any music instruction and said he does not feel the need to “improve my God-given ability to sing.”
He has been in many choirs and singing groups, and has directed a few gospel choirs.
“I was really impressed with his big, rolling voice; his natural musicianship; and his knowledge of hymnody,” Keegan said.
For more information, call Hazel Johnson at 360-385-6000 or visit www.ptquaker.org.
________
Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
