Ames residents were treated this weekend to the sweet, melodious rhythms of the funky juju music commonly found in West Africa.

The group Yawo found its way to the Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Ave., Friday night and kicked off the annual fall Ames concert series and engaged the crowd of about 40, leaving them calling out for one more song.

The concert began with a few 10-minute segments of songs that were designed to give the audience a feel of the music that was to come. After the third segment, the concert really began.

Members of the audience began pouring from their seats into the aisles and began twisting and turning their bodies to the rhythm of the music. During each segment, at least one member of the band was allowed the chance to showcase their unique skills and be the star of the show.

“He picks us for what we do, and then he lets us do it,” said drummer Frank Martinez of band leader Yawo. “He gives us just enough structure that we don’t go completely wild.”

Although the band members have known each other for only a short period of time, they have grown to understand and respect each other’s positions in the band. That energy was definitely felt and reciprocated by the crowd.

“What struck me the most was all the fun the band was having,” said Lynn Carey, assistant director of the Ames Public Library.

Carey, who was celebrating her birthday that day, described how amazing the music was to her and her family.

“My parents, who are 83 and 77, were even dancing,” Carey said. “They have never danced before.”

The group comprises Yawo, lead singer on acoustic guitar, Louka Patenaude on electric guitar, Frank Martinez on drums, Serge Akou on bass guitar, Ken Leiser on violin and Edi Gbordzi on kpanlogo and djembe drums. They have been playing together for about a year, most of them having met each other in Madison, Wis.

Yawo is a native of the country Togo in West Africa. He started his musical career in Lome, Togo, where he studied flute, classical guitar and electric bass. He has traveled the United States for 15 years to develop his musical career.