With tributes to famous bands and artists seemingly taking over the South Florida music scene, it’s refreshing to note that Lake Worth-launched group Julius Sanna & the Positively Africa Experience (www.positivelyafrica.com) has paid tribute to an entire continent’s culture — through uplifting original compositions rather than mimicry — since 2007.
And its founders are too legit to quit. Its namesake singing guitarist was born in Tanzania and raised in Kenya before moving to Oklahoma to attend Southern Nazarene University on a soccer scholarship in 1997. His wife, Kenya-born singing percussionist Julia Sanna, had moved to the United States eight months before him to attend the University of Texas at Arlington.
Now based in West Palm Beach, the Sannas gave their group a positive name to counter what they saw as negative and stereotypical footage of famine and wars in news broadcasts. They still find that those stereotypes often exist when trying to book the band. But more about the couple’s multifaceted history later. Their upcoming show at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach salutes a historical date that goes back much further.
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday commemorating June 19, 1865. News traveled more slowly, and in this case purposely, back then. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, officially freeing enslaved people in the 11 Southern states of the Confederacy starting January 1, 1863. But those enslaved in one of those states, Texas, were unknowingly maintained as slaves until they found out they were actually free two-and-a-half years later. The Juneteenth holiday was signed into law in 2021.
“The Arts Garage tries to present us every year around Juneteenth,” Julius says. “We’re so intrigued by that historical time in both American and African history, and we’re looking forward to presenting it in this performance.”
“With our roots, in Africa and in Texas, it’s special to see the holiday observed the way it is now,” Julia adds.
The Sannas’ history includes both Texas and a lot of Julius gravitating to wherever Julia was, mostly intentionally. In childhood, his family moved from Tanzania to her native Kenya before the two met while touring the United States with the Youth for Christ international ministry in 1996. When each relocated to America for college the following year, living in a neighboring state wasn’t close enough for Julius, who joined Julia in Dallas. They married in 2000.
Julius graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a degree in computer networking technologies, later starting a career in ministry. The Rev. Julius Sanna received his master of divinity from Palm Beach Atlantic University last month, spreads the gospel weekly at Joy Church in West Palm Beach, and is the outreach director at Trinity Delray Lutheran Church and School in Delray Beach. Julia uses her graduate degree from the University of Texas as an independent counseling psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and marriage preparation provider.
“It’s a private practice centered in mental health counseling,” she says, “especially helping couples build their relationships, at www.relationshipclasses.com.”
The Arts Garage advertises the Sannas’ upcoming performance as “Afrobeats Gospel.” Julius’ hollow-bodied electric guitar playing is influenced by Osibisa, George Benson and Carlos Santana, and his vocal harmonies with Julia are sublime. The band released a stellar 2012 debut, Introducing Positively Africa, and is capable of singing in traditional African languages such as Kiswahili, Leo and Kamba on original compositions like “Beautiful Africa,” “Tanga,” “Pendo,” and “Leo.”
With Juneteenth and its history, and the Sannas’ roots in both Africa and Texas, it’s certain to be a spiritual performance. Their current musical lineup includes saxophonist/flutist Jody Marlow, keyboardist Adam Kurland, bassist Steve Mutuku, and drummer Bob Ross.
The couple also offers Positively African educational programs, for children and adults, through the Broward County library system. Upcoming dates include 11 a.m. June 15 at Lauderhill Towne Centre Library, 6399 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill; 3:30 p.m. June 15 at Northwest Branch Library, 1580 N.W. 3rd Ave., Pompano Beach, 11 a.m. June 18 at Broward County’s main library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, and noon June 22 at Miramar Branch Library & Education Center, 2050 Civic Center Place, Miramar.
In addition to their devoted work, musical performances, and educational presentations, the Sannas make ample time for their four primary creations — 18-year-old son Jude, 15-year-old Jordan, 9-year-old daughter Joy and 8-year-old daughter Joanna.
“Jude is studying music production at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville,” says Julius. “Jordan studies theater locally at Dreyfoos School for the Performing Arts; Joy plays the flute, and Joanna plays ukulele and piano.”
If You Go
Julius Sanna and the Positively Africa Experience perform at the Arts Garage, 94 N.E. 2nd Ave., Delray Beach.
When: 8 p.m. June 21
Tickets: $35-$40
Info: 561-450-6357, artsgarage.org