At The Soraya at Cal State Northridge this past weekend, Gregory Porter, a two-time Grammy winner, set the tone for the holiday season with an intimate evening of holiday classics and originals.

Teen singer Biko Star, born Biko Nhlangothi and a member of the band Biko’s Manna, captivated audiences with her cover of “There’s Music in the Air” at one of Gregory Porter’s sold-out shows in ...