La Banda Gorda
Formed in the Dominican Republic in 1994, La Banda Gorda is a merengue group led
by trumpeter, arranger and leader José Peña Suazo. Suazo began his career in the
1980s as a member of Cuco Valoy’s Orchestra, La Artillería, and Pochy y la Coco
Band before leaving to form his own group. La Banda Gorda is known for the fast
merengue and salsa music with a Caribbean flavor. They released their debut
album, Libre al Fin, in 1994. They continued to release a series of
well-received albums including Tu Muere Aqui (1996), Calienta Esto (1998), Sueña
(2004), and Esto Se Baila Asi (2011).
