Phish’s touring days are still behind them but the group has recently dipped into its archives to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina . The Vermont-quartet has readied the download release of its 1996 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage performance, an afternoon gig which many believed helped seed the Big Easy as the Gulf Coast’s jamband capital. A one off performance staged during the recording of Billy Breathes, this single set show also features a cameo by longtime band associate Michael Ray during ‘Cars Trucks and Buses.’ As filler, the group has included the entire second set from its November 7, 1991 at Tipitina’s where Phish was joined by Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, who opened the show. ARU, which at the time consisted of Hampton, Apt. Q-258, Oteil Burbridge, Jimmy Herring and Matt Mundy, joined Phish for a number of song including an extended ‘David Bowie’ and jazz standard ‘Take The A-Train.’

In addition to this download release, Phish Dry Goods is offering a special ‘New Orleans Relief’ T-Shirt and a new, limited edition poster by collectors favorite Jim Pollock. All proceeds from New Orleans Relief downloads, t-shirt and poster sales will be donated directly to Tipitina’s Foundation and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation.