The Franklin Avenue Baptist Choir, from one of this city’s more devastated areas, had already whipped fans at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival into a frothing frenzy — but the choir’s leader did not think the crowd was excited enough.

He only needed to mention Hurricane Katrina to get the already enthusiastic group out of their seats.

“Didn’t he get you through Katrina?” the leader shouted to the hundreds packed inside the gospel tent on Saturday. “He left New Orleans here for a reason. Y’all need to get up on your feet.” (Watch the Big Easy jumpin’ and jivin’ — 2:00)

By the time he finished his sentence, most of the crowd was already standing, giving thanks for what little Katrina did not destroy — including the city’s hope and spirit.

That spirit permeated the second day of the Jazz Fest, the first since the hurricane tore through the city last year, displacing untold numbers of its musicians. Bob Dylan, Dr. John and Ani DiFranco were among Friday’s performers, as well as dozens of local acts.

Despite high winds and foreboding clouds that hovered all day Saturday, thousands of fans packed the Fair Grounds for a second day.

While big names such as the Dave Matthews Band, Etta James and Herbie Hancock played at the bigger stages, one star casually dropped in on one of the smaller sets.

The Edge, from supergroup U2, walked on during the New Birth Brass Band’s already enthralling set, joining them as they sang “Stand By Me” in tribute to New Orleans. The group inserted its own new lyric, singing “New Orleans will never die” defiantly during the song.

Band leader and bass drum player Cayetano Hingle said his group, which was forced to relocate to Houston after Katrina, met U2 when the Irish rockers saw New Birth performing in the streets of New Orleans.

Though The Edge had said he might stop by to see the band perform at Jazz Fest, Hingle was still surprised.

“I looked to the side of the stage and I was shocked,” he said, laughing.

Hingle said performing at Jazz Fest once again was like a reunion for his group.

“That’s the big thing, to be playing for family and friends,” he said.

Jazz Fest continues through Sunday, when headliners will include Bruce Springsteen, Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello. It concludes next weekend.

In February 2006 Dave Matthews & Friends will be performing on a secret island in the Bahamas, and members of the Warehouse, the official fan association, are invited to take a cruise to the concert! Two spectacular eco-friendly ships, the Majesty of the Seas and the Sovereign of the Seas, will sail in tandem on Friday, February 3, 2006 to a secret island in the Bahamas, a weekend musical adventure that is destined to be a once-in-a lifetime experience.

Several artists have been hand-picked for this special occasion, including Bob Weir and Ratdog, G. Love and Special Sauce, Toots and the Maytals, Ozomatli, Mike Doughty’s Band, North Mississippi Allstars and many more. The artists will be performing on both ships, giving fans the opportunity to see some of their favorite bands in unique settings. Exciting events, delectable cuisine, two private island destinations and an exclusive group of fans will make the experience unforgettable.

The Dave Matthews Band, known for its incessant touring, has captured a weekend of concerts on CD and DVD for fans.

The weekend of September 9th to –12th, DMB did four nights of concerts at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, including a benefit for hurricane Katrina victims that raised $1.5 million. Fans can capture the weekend again in several different formats starting November 29th.

Weekend at the Rocks takes up two CDs or one DVD and features highlights of the four nights, with tunes like “Recently,” “Halloween,” and the band’s new hit, “Dreamgirl.”

Here’s hoping the Sovereign of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas are ready to rock. On Feb. 3, the two Royal Caribbean cruise ships will set sail from Miami and Cape Canaveral respectively and head toward the Bahamas for an intimate, exclusive concert.

Dave Matthews and Friends will headline the event, but music will also be provided by Ozomatli, Bob Weir and Ratdog, North Mississippi Allstars and several others. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

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