by Jason AnkenyThe Dominican-based merengue outfit La Banda Gorda was led by trumpeter Jose Virgilio Peby Jason AnkenyThe Dominican-based merengue outfit La Banda Gorda was led by trumpeter Jose Virgilio Pena Suazo, a former member of groups including La Coco Band, The first La Banda Gorda album, Libre Al Fin, followed in 1994; subsequent efforts include 1995s Candela Pura, 1997s Por el Mismo Camino and 1998s Calienta Esta