| La Banda Gorda | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Dominican Republic |
| Years Active: | 1994 - present |
| Genre: | Merengue |
| Associated Acts: | Kinito Mendez |
| Current Members: | Jose Peña Suazo |
La Banda Gorda is a popular Merengue music group from Dominican Republic directed by José Peña Suazo. The band plays fast Merengue from Dominican Republic, salsa music and is known for its diverse style and Caribbean flavor.[1] [2]
Jose Peña Suazo had previously worked with Latin music makers including Alfonso "Pochi" Vásquez and Kinito Mendez. In 1994 Suazo went on his own and formed his own group which he named "Jose Peña Suazo y la Banda Gorda", dubbed 'Banda Gorda' for short. The group's first album "Libre al fin" (Free at Last), was released on April 19, 1994. The group has made albums regularly, though not yearly, ever since.