More serendipity. Really. I have a phenomenally lucky gift for serendipitous moments, of which I am not one-bit aware as they occur because I am not looking for them. The fact that eventually I become aware is in itself serendipitous.

Not long after I took loads of photos of Jujuba during Music on Main, my older son Lamont was at my apartment. I took the opportunity to show him the images in iPhoto, the ones I liked best of the band and of this man thoroughly enjoying dancing to the fine and funky beat. Well, imagine my shock when Lamont sort of guffawed and exclaimed, "That's my neighbor!" Shocked, I pointed at the man in the cap and asked, "This man?" Turn out this man whose exuberant fun fascinated me into taking photo after photo, lives in my two sons' neighborhood.

Merriam-Webster online defines serendipity as the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. And this definition for English-language learners: luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for. M-W goes on to include this definition for kids: the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for.

Jujuba at Music on Main, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, August 29, 2012

What a fine and funky good time I had listening to and grooving with Jujuba at Music on Main!

From the PCPA Web site's information on Music on Main:

Jujuba delivers a funky, danceable style of Nigerian Afrobeat and Juju music. The strength of the eleven-piece revolves around its energetic cohesion between percussion, rhythm and horn sections. Renowned for their ability to engage a wide variety of audiences, the band draws a dance floor full of smiling faces at every event.

Jujuba features Nojeem Lasisi from Igbo Ora, Oyo State, in Nigeria. He ranks among the world’s elite talking drum players. Nojeem was given his first drum at age four by his father, also a master drummer, who handed down to Nojeem its powerful language. As a member of Nigerian superstar King Sunny Ade's group, the African Beats, Nojeem toured the world and appears on numerous recordings with King Sunny, including "Seven Degrees North" and "Odu."

Nojeem has settled in the Northwest and assembled Jujuba from local musicians who all share a true love for Nigerian music. Their diverse experiences in a wide range of styles propel the project into new directions based on Afrobeat, Juju and traditional Nigerian folk music. Nojeem Lasisi and Jujuba have created a unique blend of African and Western music they hope is enjoyable to all.

Since the fall of 2002, the band has elicited a strong flow of positive feedback from audiences, concert promoters, festival organizers and the press. As Marty Hughley of The Oregonian puts it, “the heat and flavor was all in the groove.” The joy Jujuba shares with its audiences encourages new material, a tighter connection and a growing energy from each show to the next.

About Music on Main Street Located in downtown Portland on Main Street, between Southwest Broadway & Park Ave., next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Wednesday evenings during July and August we take advantage of the lovely summer weather in Portland to present Music on Main Street, PCPA’s free outdoor concert series. The concerts boast popular local musicians with a diverse collection of music – from Afrobeat to Rockabilly – these bands will have you up on your feet and dancing on Main Street. The free concerts are open to the public and run from 5pm to 7pm – tickets are not required. The ArtBar & Bistro will be serving up seasonal fare and delicious libations starting at 4:30pm every week. Tables and chairs are available on a first come, first served basis, along with plenty of room to move around - dancing is highly encouraged.