Nelson González
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Nelson González Nelson González was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, is distinguished for his mastery of the Cuban Tres guitar. This traditional instrument is indispensable to the interpretation of ‘Son’, the most popular form of Cuban dance music. His love of Afro-Caribbean music developed at an early age and was nurtured in New York City, where he immigrated at the age of 12. During the 1960’s many of today’s acclaimed and virtuoso Latin musicians convened regularly at the home of Andy and Jerry Gonzalez to participate in weekly ‘jam sessions’. Nelson joined these young and notable musicians that included talents such as Dave Valentin, Hilton Ruiz, Oscar Hernandez, Milton Cardona, Nicki Marrero, Tommy Lopez, Jr., Eladio Perez, Charlie Santiago, Papo Vasquez, Orestes Vilato, and the powerful voices of Adalberto Santiago, Willie Garcia, Justo Betancourt and Virgilio Marti. It was during this period that Nelson explored his interest in the Tres. Nelson’s attraction to the Cuban Tres was initially driven by its reputation as a formidable challenge to achieve technical mastery. The Tres guitar is comprised of three sets of double strings and is known for the degree of technical difficulty it imposes in order to generate a full chord from a limited number of strings. His first Tres was borrowed from Andy Gonzalez and it marked the beginning of his journey with an instrument that represents the richness and tradition of Cuban folklore. Essential to his development was Rene Lopez, musicologist and leading authority on Cuban music. Through him, Nelson learned the fundamentals and history of Cuban music. He used the recordings of Arsenio Rodriguez and ‘El Nino’ Rivera, two masters of the Tres guitar and pioneers of the Cuban ‘son’, to guide his training. Their genius and the ‘descarga’ of Israel Lopez Cachao (pictured right) strongly influenced Nelson’s music style and skill in incorporating the Tres to the rhythm of the drums. Insipired by the paucity of Tres players in Latin America and the Caribbean, Nelson vowed to preserve tradition through his dedication to this instrument and is regarded by Cachao as the ambassador of the Tres. His first opportunity as a performer in the Latin music scene was in 1971 as a member of the Justo Betancourt Band. He later played with Orq. Harlow during which time he developed a close friendship with Ismael Miranda that later served to create Orq. Revelacion and soloist for the band. During the 1970’s, Nelson recorded with all of the top Latin bands including Charanga Tipica Ideal and two international recordings with African Charanga groups. He was invited to join Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nuevayorquino and in 1972 joined Tipica ’73 for four years. After its dissolution he served as a founding member of Los Kimbos with Adalberto Santiago. He formed his own band in 1976, Nelson González and his Band and recorded two albums, with one produced by the TR (Tito Rodriguez) Record label. Nelson tours with Eddie Palmieri, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, La India, and the Conga Kings. (Eddie Palmieri at left at the Blue Note, Sept. 26th, 2003) Nelson was prominently featured on the following Grammy Award Winning albums: Cachao Master Sessions I ,Cachao Master Sessions II, Gloria Estefan’s Mi Tierra, Gloria Estefan’s Alma Caribena, Rubin Blades’ Mundo, Bebo Valdez’s El Arte Del Sabor, and Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri’s Masterpiece. His other accomplishments include: participation in the World Music Festival sponsored by the Smithsonian Music Institute; winner of the ‘Best Salsa Band In Latin America’ Award for Tipica ’73 at the Primer Festival Mundial de Salsa in 1976; winner of the 1977, 1978 and 1979 ‘Best Tres Player of the Year’ Award from Latin NY Magazine; joined Latin Percussion, Inc., to record a percussion instructional album, co-directed two albums with the master of the drum, Carlos “Patato”Valdez, and instructed various “percussion clinics; participation in the inauguration ceremony of President Carter; invitation from the Fania All Stars to record the famous ‘Habana Jam’ in Cuba; nomination of his CD, Son Mundano(1997) by the ‘Tu Musica’ Awards for best production of the Year; performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards MusicCares Person of the Year tribute to Paul Simon. (Nelson pictured with Tito Puente, left) He has made numerous television appearances, including: the 2000 Grammy Awards; “Saturday Night Live,” with Kenny Vance; the “Dick Cavett Show”; the “Mike Douglas Show” with Tipica ’73; the “David Letterman Show,” with Gloria Estefan and Cachao; the “Sunday Night Show” with Paul Simon; the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” appearing with Andy Garcia and Cachao; the Rosie ODonnell Show with Marc Anthony; and Marc Anthony Live on HBO. Nelson was in Los Angeles, and was scheduled to perform with Marc Anthony on the ill-fated 2001 Latin Grammys. Nelson is featured, along with many music legends, in the film Cachao: Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos, by Andy Garcia. (Available on video.) Nelson formed part of Danny Rivera’s (pictured left) performances, who is regarded as the National Voice of Puerto Rico. He also collaborated with and co-directed three of his albums, one of which won the “Tu Musica” Award in 1997 (Hagaze La Luz.) Nelson’s indispensable contribution to the Broadway Musical production, The Capeman. and member of the guitar and string ensemble, led to friendship with composer and musical director Paul Simon. He has served as a guest artist with the singer La India, and was a member of Marc Anthony’s touring band. His band Son Mundano headlined as the opening act for Marc Anthony’s October 4th 2000 Oscar De La Hoya Foundation benefit concert in Los Angeles. Nelson’s Band was asked to play at the 2001 Latino Commission on Aids Gala Benefit celebration, and his song, “No Tienes Porque Llorar” was selected as the theme song for the year. Nelson was a quest artist with QuBop and was featured on their recent recording. Nelson regularly tours with Cachao, Eddie Palmieri, and the Conga Kings. His performances throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States span 25 years. Video Links: Credits: Year Album Artist The Complete Album 2013 Paul Simon Plenaro, Tres Collection José “El 2011 Original Canario” Tres Alberto 2011 Songwriter Paul Simon Plenaro, Tres Ponte Duro: The Fania All- 2010 Fania All Stars Tres Stars Story 55 Aniversario ¡En La Sonora 2009 Tres Vivo! Parte 1 Ponceña Conquistador De Domingo Guest Artist, 2009 Corazones Quiñones Tres Cucu 2009 Cuculand Guitar, Tres Diamantes Fania All- 2009 Havanajam Performer Stars Jazz from Buenos Porteña Jazz 2009 Clarinet Aires, Vol. 1 Band El Malo, Vol. 2: 2008 Prisioneros del Willie Colón Coro Mambo Year Album Artist Additional Personnel, Featured Artist, Guest Gloria 2007 90 Millas Artist, Estefan Primary Artist, Tres, Unknown Instrument Main Fuego y Amor [Sony 2007 Pedro Capó Personnel, BMG] Tres In Case You Missed 2007 Marlon Simon Guiro It La Mejor Coleccion Los Tucanes 2007 Conductor de Corridos de Tijuana La Más Completa Los Tucanes 2007 Conductor Colección de Tijuana Los Ojala Que La Vida 2007 Originales de Label Manager Me Alcance San Juan The Essential Paul 2007 Paul Simon Plenaro, Tres Simon The Very Best of 2007 Performer Latin Music Guest Artist, Main Personnel, 2007 Vivo por Ti Johnny Rivera Soloist, Trombone, Trumpet Art Direction, 2006 12 Gruperas Concept Year Album Artist Choir/Chorus, Coro, Member of Attributed 2006 3 Zaperoko Artist, Tres, Vocals (Background) 2006 Al Mil por Uno Jesus Chavez Art Direction Los A&R, Art 2006 El Tequilero Originales de Direction, San Juan Label Manager Karaoke: Salsa 2006 Composer [DVD] Gloria Percussion, 2006 Mi Tierra/Destiny Estefan Tres Cubano Nelson Gonzalez and Nelson 2006 Primary Artist His Band Gonzalez Pasos Gigantes Pequeño Guest Artist, 2006 [Bonus DVD] Johnny Tres 2006 Salseros Unidos Lefty Perez Guest Artist Soul Heaven 2006 Presents Masters at Tres, Vocals Work Coros, Main Personnel, 2006 Soy Diferente India Vocals (Background) 14 Exitos 2005 Carlos y José Concept Originales 2005 Acordeones Famosos Concept Corridos de Alto 2005 Concept Rango, Vol. 1 2005 Diez Intocable Art Direction Year Album Artist El Momento 2005 Duelo de Alacranes vs. Hijo de Concept Chila 2005 Duetos Nortenos Concept El Pasado y el 2005 Presente de la Juan Valentín Concept Banda Johnny Guest Artist, 2005 Entre Amigos Pacheco Tres Estrellas y Lorenzo de 2005 Concept Relampagos Monteclaro Evolucionando el Voces del 2005 Art Direction Corrido Rancho 2005 Fiestamix Art Direction Los 2005 Golpe Sobre Golpe Originales de Art Direction San Juan Grupo el 2005 Hablando Claro Art Direction Momento 2005 La Fiesta La Onda Art Direction 2005 La Perdi Chuy Jr. Art Direction La Verdadera 2005 Historia de Fruko y Fruko Composer Sus Tesos Los Alegres Art Direction, 2005 Las Consentidas De de Terán Concept Las Consentidas de Socios del 2005 Concept Los Ritmo Year Album Artist Los Las Consentidas de Rancheritos 2005 Concept Los del Topo Chico Marlon Simon Cover Design, Live in la Paz and the 2005 Production Bolivia… Nagual Coordination Spirits 2005 Me Enamore de Ti Concept 2005 Pa’La Raza, Vol. 5 Concept 2005 Pena Tras Pena Juan Valentín Concept 2005 Puras del Norte Concept Recordando a Rigo Art Direction, 2005 Control Tovar Concept Salsa Clasica Para Orquesta 2005 Primary Artist Cantar, Vol. 2 Latinos Band Sentimiento 2005 Concept Norteno, Vol. 1 Tesoro de Boleros: 2005 12 Éxitos Concept Originales 2005 Tesoro de Rancheras Concept 2005 Vallenato vs Cumbia Concept Arranger, Choir/Chorus, Composer, Guitar, Guitar 2004 Ahora Si! Cachao (Electric), Main Personnel, Tres 2004 Circomania Big Circo Label Manager Year Album Artist 2004 Como Me Acuerdo Robi Rosa Guitar Los Art Corridos de Este 2004 Originales de Conception, Tamano San Juan Concept Design 2004 DJ Kane DJ Kane Art Direction Hip Hop, Sal Y Art Direction, 2004 Chuy Jr.