BOSTON -- After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, musicians Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis, both New Orleans natives, conceived the idea of building a community for displaced musicians.

The centerpiece of the neighborhood in the Upper 9th Ward will be the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, a venue for music performance and education. Since the spring of last year, volunteers from New Orleans and across the country have come to build 75 Habitat for Humanity cottages on the 8-acre site.

"Think about the jam sessions that will take place there," Connick said in a statement. "It's going to be a living, breathing, working community, a chance to put something on the map that wasn't there for a city that has given us so much music."

Angela Menino, Boston's First Lady, led a group of professional woman from the Boston area traveling to participate in this effort. Diane Patrick, wife of the Massachusetts governor, joined the women in their work on the construction of The Boston House in the Musicians' Village.

Habitat for Humanity said it hopes to eventually build 300 homes in the surrounding area. "New Orleans and its music were meant to be," said Chris Clarke, senior vice president of the organization.

Karen Holmes Ward, WCVB Director of Public Affairs, and Candy Altman, Vice President, News, Hearst-Argyle Television, are among others who went to New Orleans to work on the project.

The trip was funded by private donations. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will travel to New Orleans to dedicate The Boston House when it is completed.

How to help:

You can make a donation online at New Orleans Musicians' Village.

Related:

• May 10, 2007: Local Women Help Build Village In New Orleans