Earlier this year, rumours circulated stating that U2 was going to be one of the performers at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, often better known as Jazz Fest. These rumours turned out to be false, but one member of U2 did appear at the festival today. The Edge made a surprise appearance with the New Birth Brass Band for Stand By Me, and then appeared on the main stage with the day's headlining band, the Dave Matthews Band, to perform the song Smooth Rider.

An MSNBC article had this to say about Edge's appearance with the New Birth Brass Band:

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.

Posted on April 30, 2006 by Axver