"The focus of the fund will be to help those individuals and families evacuated from the greater New Orleans area as they address immediate concerns related to housing, food, education, health care, and basic survival necessities," said JALC president Derek E. Gordon. "The fund will also provide resources to assist individuals over time to rebuild their homes and livelihoods."

The CD includes performances by trumpeter and Jazz at Lincoln Center artistic director Wynton Marsalis, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, pianist and singer Diana Krall, saxophonist Joe Lovano, singer Cassandra Wilson, singer and actress Bette Midler, New Orleans trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, pianist Marcus Roberts, singer Norah Jones, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, singer-songwriter James Taylor, and others.

"New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz," said Marsalis, a native of the city. "The city's diverse population of Spanish, French, British, West Africans, and Americans created an original music that embodies the fundamental principals of democracy. Jazz at Lincoln Center was established to celebrate jazz and so we are particularly moved to action by the destruction visited on the Crescent City by Katrina."