Origin Dominican Republic Occupation(s) Singer Associated acts Kinito Mendez Albums Puro Mambo | Genres Merengue Years active 1994–present Genre Merengue music | |
![]() | ||
Birth name José Virgilio Peña Suazo Music group La Banda Gorda (Since 1994) Similar La Banda Gorda, Los Hermanos Rosario, Rubby Perez, Kinito Méndez, Fernando Villalona |
José Peña Suazo (born January 18, 1967) is a Latin singer focusing on the Latin subgenre merengue. He formed a part of musical groups until the formation of his very own group, La Banda Gorda.
Contents

History

José Peña Suazo was born in 1967 in the Dominican Republic. He was a premature baby but was able to survive his early childhood. His birthplace in the province of Sánchez Ramírez in the Dominican Republic exposed him to the Latin genres of music. He was instructed on the basics of music by the age of 17 when he formally took up the tuba under his teacher Juan Eutimo Jerez. However, after his older brother, Arturo Suazo, formed his own group, Suazo was inspired to take up the trumpet.
Pre–Banda Gorda

In 1987, Suazo moved out to the Dominican Republic's capital of Santo Domingo in hopes of forming part of a group that would acquire him fame and fortune. He was then integrated to music band of the Santo Domingo Fire Department. Unhappy, however, he then joined Cuco Valoy's orchestra, where he was able to obtain the position of first trumpet. He was also allowed to compose and arrange some of the group's themes. Having succeeded he was then approached to be the musical director of another merengue group called La Artillería.

In 1991, he returned to playing the trumpet with Pochy y la Coco Band. He composed and arranged themes of this group as well.
La Banda Gorda
In 1994, Suazo formed La Banda Gorda, with whom he has found much success internationally.
Songs
Traigo Fuego2004
Dejalo Ahi2004
Tu muere aquíTu Muere Aquí · 2006