Discover the captivating story of Nelson González Barreto, a musical prodigy hailing from the heart of Caracas, Venezuela. Rooted in the enchanting melodies of the Cuatro, Venezuela's beloved 4-stringed instrument, Nelson's journey led him to find his true soul connection in the rhythmic allure of the bass at just 14 years old.
Nelson's journey led him to the prestigious Ars Nova school of music and the Itinerant School of Music (EIM), where he trained under the guidance of Berklee prodigies Maria Eugenia Atilano and Pedro Barboza. Here, the captivating world of jazz captured his heart and shaped his musical path.
Musical Milestones: Caracas to Oklahoma
Venturing into the United States, Nelson continued his musical quest at the University of Central Oklahoma, earning a BA in arts administration and an MA in jazz studies. As a vital member of the renowned UCO Jazz Ensemble I, he had the privilege of sharing the stage with acclaimed luminaries including Jason Marsalis, Ingrid Jensen, and Bob Mintzer.
Nelson's versatile talent has graced the vibrant music scene of Oklahoma City, captivating audiences with his own quartet and collaborating across a range of genres from funk, musical theatre, big band, rock, hip-hop, etc, with one of the most relevant projects being Bee & The Hive, an indie/jazz rock group.
Accolades, Acclaims & Arrangements
Recognized for his innovative compositions, Nelson earned an honorable mention at the JEN Young Composer Showcase in 2022. His music is a beautiful fusion of cultures and personal experiences, and as a talented arranger, he has created captivating auditory masterpieces for theater, rock, live video game music, and beyond.
New Release: It Blurs as We Speak
Currently, Nelson is gearing up to release his highly anticipated album, '‘It Blurs as We Speak” Nelson shares some of his intimate thoughts through music that he has been developing for various years. “It Blurs as We Speak serves as a reflection of life post-pandemic, and how events and feelings start to merge into one big blur. Each piece reflects a specific event in which it is easy to say what happened but not when it happened, the only exception to this rule applies to the last 3 pieces, “A Suite for Juan Barreto” a suite dedicated to my grandfather who passed away in late 2021.” For this album Nelson combines elements of his own Venezuelan culture with a contemporary jazz scope to bring something unique that feels danceable and cathartic. The full album will be available October 6th on all streaming platforms.
We are proud to be able to share the first single to be released off of his coming new album. For more details go to our new-release page to listen to his single castaway and get more information on his album release.