It was a knockout night at the “A Tribute to Sinatra” Holiday Concert with Gilbert Moret. Gilbert’s brother is the veteran boxing referee/judge Lou Moret and the December 11 fundraising concert was a one-two punch with the boxing and music worlds coming together to benefit the underserved in the community.

The Sunday fiesta was held at the Premier Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant in Bell Gardens, Calif. Co-produced by Raul Esquivel, Rosamaria Marquez, and Terom Productions, the evening featured Gilbert Moret on the mic with his daughter Camille Moret Leal also joining in for a few songs. Before the live concert began, the Jose Arellano Band entertained the crowd of over 250 people.

The premier venue is a fun and lively place with its mirrored hallways, bright lights, glittery decor and booth seating that gives the night club a retro Vegas vibe. As the guests dined on chicken, fish or shrimp, the mood was festive as the Christmas season neared.

Boxing official Lou Moret and his family were looking forward to hearing Gilbert take the stage in his popular renditions honoring the legendary Frank Sinatra. Lou has been a well-respected judge (888 bouts) and referee (648 bouts) for over 40 years and works both in the U.S. and internationally. He told me he enjoys watching his brother perform for the crowd and mentions that besides being a singer, Gilbert is also a lawyer.

It was a great concert as the singing lawyer wowed the audience with everyone’s favorite Sinatra tunes, holiday classics and funny anecdotes.

The fundraising dinner and concert will help benefit nonprofit organizations such as the Rock Rose Gallery and Garfield High School.

Co-producer Raul Esquivel (World Boxing Hall of Fame and the Universal Boxing Hall of Fame) said they will be having more concerts in the new year. Esquivel was a sparring partner and still loves to support boxing. Also in attendance was Gilbert Stokes (an original singer of El Chicano) and boxing trainer and sculptor Steve Harpst.

After the concert, the Moret family met with well wishers as Gilbert signed his series of music CDs.

It was a joyous occasion with everybody getting into the Christmas spirit!

Photos by Michele Chong