Biko’s Manna, the versatile musicians and singers captivated an audience with renditions of familiar songs mixed with original compositions during a concert held recently at Arena Stage.
Presented by the DC Jazz Festival, the group of young siblings, Biko Star, 17, and her brothers Manna Hero, 14, and Tau Lion, 9, are astonishingly talented, mature performers who are engaging and move easily between songs.
Their social media presence is over the top, with millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok (@bikosmanna), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BikosManna), and YouTube (@BikosManna).
With April being Jazz Appreciation Month, when talking to the audience in between songs, Biko’s Manna let everyone know they love jazz.
They began their set at the Arena Stage show with Chick Corea’s jazz classic “Spain.” They attributed the song to Al Jarreau, who recorded a vocal version of the jazz classic. Then they jumped to Bossa Nova Brazilian songs “One Note Samba” (1960) and “The Girl from Ipanema,” (1963) composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” followed those selections, another classic jazz composition that Jarreau also vocalized.
All three youngsters play the guitar, but Biko Star and Manna Hero each play two guitars. Tau Lion is primarily a percussionist and plays melodica, a keyboard attached to an air tube that sounds like a harmonica.
Manna Hero’s guitar solo on “Take Five” was dynamic.
Biko Star’s vocals are stunning. When she began scatting the audience was entranced.
But this is a family affair. Mom Ayanda Pyramid and Dad Sebone Rangata had a vision for their children before they married. They met in New York in the world of show business. Rangata knew his kids would be important, which is why he named his daughter after South African activist Stephen Biko.
In the audience at Arena Stage was Davey Yarborough, co-founder of the Washington Jazz Arts Institute (WJAI), a nonprofit program that teaches jazz to District children students. Like most who were just getting to know the group, he was astonished.
“I went online and saw what I had been missing. It’s starting that young if the family is working together from the beginning,” said Yarbrough. “This is what young people should be doing. And this is what families should be doing.”
