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Helping hurricane-hit communities

NEW ORLEANS: Singer Harry Connick Jr. wielded a paintbrush. R&B heartthrob John Legend did a little laundry.

The two were among a list of musicians both performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and giving back to a region, still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina 20 months ago.

Connick, along with his two daughters, were among dozens of volunteers working on homes, on Saturday, in the Musicians' Village — a project Connick started after the storm with saxophonist Branford Marsalis both to help displaced musicians and keep the musical traditions of his hometown alive.

"It's not about guilt," he said. "I just don't want to see it go away." Connick said he envisioned a village made up not only of houses but also of cafes, jazz clubs and a music school for children — a community where kids can ride their bikes down the streets "all the while hearing music." — AP

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