Tommy Olivencia

Tommy Olivencia was a salsa singer, trumpet player, and bandleader from the Villa Palmeras neighborhood of Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. He organized his orchestra, La Primerísima, in 1960 and led it for more than 35 years, building a sound rooted in strong brass arrangements and melodic swing. His band became a launching pad for vocalists who went on to major careers in Latin music, including Lalo Rodríguez and Gilberto Santa Rosa.