Ángel Tomás "Tommy" Olivencia Pagán was born in the Vill… Read Full Bio ↴Early years
Ángel Tomás "Tommy" Olivencia Pagán was born in the Villa Palmeras section of Santurce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to the city of Arecibo when he was just a child. He received his primary and secondary education in Arecibo. As a young man, he became fascinated with the trumpet and learned to play the musical instrument.
In 1954, Olivencia sang and played the trumpet for local bands. He graduated from high school in 1957 and his family relocated once again to Santurce.
Puertorrican Salsa DJ Yun Yun Echevarria interviews Tommy Olivencia (1980s)
Puertorrican Salsa DJ Yun Yun Echevarria interviews Tommy Olivencia (1980s)
La Primerisima Orchestra de Puerto Rico
In 1960, Olivencia organized his first orchestra, which he named "Tommy Olivencia y La Primerisima Orchestra de Puerto Rico". His band combined swing and melodic styles together. This combination plus a strong brass contingent in the band was his trademark. Olivencia signed a contract with Inca Records and remained with that label until 1978. In 1972, he had his first major "hit" with Secuestro (Kidnapped) and followed that hit with Juntos de Nuevo (Together Again) in 1974 and Plante Bandera in 1975.
Olivencia's band was also known as the "Tommy Olivencia School", because the band produced some of the best and most talented singers and musicians of salsa in the island. Among those to have belonged to the band at one time or another were: Chamaco Ramirez, Sammy "El Rolo" González, Simon Perez, Paquito Guzman, Ubaldo "Lalo" Rodriguez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Marvin Santiago, Frankie Ruiz, Hector Tricoche, Carlos Alexis, Hector "Pichie" Perez, Paquito "Junior" Acosta and Mel Martínez.
Albums recordings
Tommy Olivencia (c. 1977)
Tommy Olivencia (c. 1977)
Among the albums recorded by Olivencia and his band are:
* Trucu-Tu
* La Nueva Sensacion Musical De Puerto Rico 1965
* Jala-Jala y Guaguancó 1966
* Fire Fire 1967
* A Toda Maquina 1968
* Cuero...Salsa y Sentimiento 1971
* Secuestro (Kidnapped) 1972
* Juntos de Nuevo (Together Again) 1974
* Planté Bandera 1975
* Introducing Lalo Rodríguez and Simón Pérez (1976)
* El Negro Chombo 1977
* La Primerísima 1978
* Sweet Trumpet-Hot Salsa 1978
* Tommy Olivencia y su Orchestra with Paquito Guzmán & Gilberto Santa Rosa (1979)
* Un Triangulo De Triunfo (Triangle of Triumph) (1981)
* Tommy Olivencia y su Orchestra with Frankie Ruiz & Carlos Alexis 1983
* Celebrando Otro Aniversario(Celebrating Another Anniversary) (1984)
* Ayer, Hoy, Mañana y Siempre(Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and Always) (1985)
* 30 Aniversario 1987
* El Jeque 1990
* Enamorado y Que! (I'm in Love, What about it?) 1991
* Vive La Leyenda 1998
* 40 Aniversario Live 2002
The following are considered among the top 100 greatest salsa songs:
* Casimira
* Como Lo Hacen (How they do it)
* Trucutru
* Pa'Lante Otra Vez
* Lobo Domesticado (Domestic Wolf)
* No Me Tires La Primera Piedra
Awards and recognitions
Tommy Olivencia Planté Bandera (1975)
Tommy Olivencia Planté Bandera (1975)
Among the many awards and recognitions which have been bestowed upon Olivencia are the following:
* The Puerto Rican Senate passed a resolution congratulating Olivencia and his band for their contributions to Puerto Rico's music.
* El Cordero de Oro (The Golden Lamb) and El Buho de Oro (The Golden Owl) Awards from Panama, for the best foreign band.
* The Golden Agueybana Award from Puerto Rico
* The November 11th Award from Colombia
Later years
On August 2000, Olivencia celebrated his 40th anniversary in the music industry at the Tito Puente Theater in San Juan, an event attended by many of the former members of his band. On May 15, 2004, Olivencia celebrated his 66th birthday and 45 years with the band with a live recording concert. The annual "Day of Salsa" of 2005, celebrated in Puerto Rico was dedicated to Olivencia.
Death
He died on September 22, 2006, aged 68, from complications of diabetes, which he had battled his entire life.
El Negro Chombo
Tommy Olivencia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Negro Chombo va cantar, pa'que venga su morena
A ehhhh, ehhhh, chevere, vere, vere, bembem.
El eco de mi cantó, se lo lleva el magdalena
Negro chombo va cantar, pa'que venga su morena
A ehhhh, ehhhh, chevere, vere, vere, bembem.
El crepúsculo vendrá con su tormenta
La corriente crecerá todos se alejan
Y hasta el negro volverá con su morena.
El eco de mi canto, se lo lleva el magdalena
Negro Cchombo va cantar, pa'que venga su morena
A ehhhh, ehhhh, chevere, vere, vere, bembem.
El eco de mi cantó, se lo lleva el magdalena
Negro chombo va cantar, pa'que venga su morena
A ehhhh, ehhhh, chevere, vere, vere, bembem.
Ya llegó el amanecer el día me espera
El crepúsculo vendrá con su tormenta
La corriente crecerá todos se alejan
Y hasta el negro volverá con su morena.
Chombo lleva, lleva, Chombo tu ve,
Chombo lleva, lleva.
The lyrics of Tommy Olivencia's song "El Negro Chombo" describe a man named Negro Chombo who sings so that his lover may come to him. The first verse talks about the echo of his singing being carried by the Magdalena river, and how he's singing for his lover to come. This verse sets the scene and the mood for the rest of the song. The second verse describes a new day beginning and the possibility of a storm, which could lead to the river rising and people moving away. However, Negro Chombo will still be singing for his lover to return. The final line "Chombo lleva, lleva, Chombo tu ve" is a repetition of his name, indicating his presence and persistence in singing for his love.
The lyrics of "El Negro Chombo" reveal a deep longing for connection and love. The river and the storm can be seen as symbols for the challenges and obstacles that come with love, but the persistence of the singer in singing for his love shows a willingness to overcome these challenges. The song is also characterized by its repetitive and upbeat rhythm, which creates a festive and celebratory mood. The song's lyrics and sounds have made it a beloved classic in the salsa genre.
Line by Line Meaning
El eco de mi canto, se lo lleva el magdalena
The echoes of my singing are being carried away by the Magdalena River
Negro Chombo va cantar, pa'que venga su morena
Black Chombo is going to sing so that his brown-skinned woman will come to him
A ehhhh, ehhhh, chevere, vere, vere, bembem.
Expressing joy and exclamation through sounds and singing
Ya llegó el amanecer el día me espera
Dawn has arrived and the day awaits me
El crepúsculo vendrá con su tormenta
Dusk will come with its storm
La corriente crecerá todos se alejan
The current will grow and everyone will leave
Y hasta el negro volverá con su morena.
Even the black man will return with his woman
Chombo lleva, lleva, Chombo tu ve,
Chombo is carrying on, and you should come along with him
Chombo lleva, lleva.
Chombo keeps on going and going
Writer(s): Julio E. Estrada
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jhonnyvegas1002
En estos tiempos de música tan mala y degenerada me pregunto, cuando volverá música hermosa como esta? Música que aunque pasen años y años la sigues oyendo y es como si la oyeras por primera vez.
@argenisariztimuno9837
El mejor tema musical interpretado por poquito.. cuantas rumbas me vasilé bailando esta canción la mejor para bailarla y gozarla. Que tiempos aquellos... y ahorita es cuando más la disfruto y la sigo bailando. Que vivan las salsas como esta.. SALSERO 100% DESDE VENEZUELA 🇻🇪 SALUDOS a todos
@oscarbilbao5145
Que honor para Colombia que está orquesta grabara este tema de la autoría del gran Joe Arroyo
@hermecortes6080
Que mucho se pego esa canción en Puerto Rico. Estuvo como 2 ańos sin parar de darla en la radio. 77 y 78
@snipersquat4758
Saludos herme
@josebarrios8925
En Venezuela igual fue un exitazo..
@yucahubagua
Esa cancion es la primera que toco la emosora Salsoul 98 en PR
@snipersquat4758
@@yucahubagua saludos henry
@misifus8092
@@snipersquat4758❤❤❤❤
@juanrosario894
Recuerdo este tema , porque arrasó en Dominicana en los años 70s !!
Ahí suena la voz inconfundible de Paquito Guzmán EPD !!