LEWISTON — The late Paul Mercier, it is said, was a master of the Hammond B3 organ. With his bands, The Corals and Fat Cat,  the Lewiston-based musician toured the state and beyond, developing a reputation throughout the East as a highly skilled jazz organist. That was mostly during the ’60s and ’70s. 

On Sunday, June 5, more than a dozen of the most well known and respected musicians from the Twin Cities and and around the state, will perform a free public concert from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, 490 Pleasant St., Lewiston, in celebration of Mercier’s music and life.  Among the performers are renowned guitarist, singer and songwriter Denny Breau, drummer Dick Demers, Arlo West may drop in, Mike Hayward and many others are expected to perform. Included in the lineup is rising guitar talent Steve Mercier,  Paul Mercier’s son.

Musicians and members of the public are invited to share their recollections of Mercier, who was equally well known as an organ and piano salesmen. At one time or another Mercier sold instruments at all three big music stores in the two cities: Maurice Music Mart, Stromboli Enterprises and Carroll’s Music Center, where he worked with customers from across the state.