Edge was on stage twice yesterday, making surprise guest appearances at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

First up he joined in the vocals on 'Stand By Me' with the New Birth Brass Band. A couple of hours later he slipped on his guitar and joined the Dave Matthews Band for their song 'Smooth Rider'.

Edge has been in the city for a few days and it's proving a good chance to take another look at how people in the city are working to rebuild their lives in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. With producer Bob Ezrin Edge is behind the charity Music Rising, which is raising funds to replace instruments lost by musicians on the Gulf Coast.

"Being here is an absolute pleasure," he said. "It is a chance for me to see some of the things that have been happening as a result of the work that Music Rising has been doing in New Orleans.
"Speaking to people on the street (about) how important music is here, and that what we're doing is actually making a difference . . . in that sense, it's been an incredible and humbling experience to be here."

Edge said that he could see progress was being made since the devastation last Fall but "I'm in no doubt that there's still a helluva lot to do."

"We're going to continue doing what we can to try and support the musicians and the music."

There's a webcast from the festival on MSN, capturing highlights of the Festival.