About

Nelson González Barreto is a genre-defying bassist, arranger, and composer from Caracas, Venezuela, now based in the United States. Renowned for his creative fusion of jazz, rock, pop, and Latin music, he has become a symbol of balance and innovation across diverse musical landscapes. González’s music reflects his rich Venezuelan roots, seamlessly blending traditional Venezuelan rhythms with jazz, post-rock, avant-garde, and Latin styles.

A seasoned jazz bassist, Nelson has shared the stage with notable artists like Jason Marsalis, Ingrid Jensen, Bob Mintzer, and Steve Pruitt. In 2023, he released his debut album, It Blurs As We Speak, showcasing original compositions performed by his septet. He currently leads The New Nelson González Group, a project bridging the worlds of jazz and Latin pop. As a sought-after session bassist, González is involved in several high-profile acts within the Midwest scene. He is a core member of the indie rock/fusion band Bee & The Hive, the innovative Latin pop artist Lincka, the soulful J + The Bishops, and has recently joined the touring lineup of Johnny Manchild & The Poor Bastards. Additionally, Nelson is the founder of Badwagon, a groundbreaking video game music ensemble, also known as Live Mario Kart 8, which performs real-time video game music as players engage on stage.

With a Master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, Nelson has been an influential educator and clinician, offering his expertise as a freelance educator in Oklahoma City and as a regular instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma’s annual Jazz Camp. Nelson González Barreto is proud to be a part of the Catapult Recordings roster, where his artistry continues to inspire and resonate across diverse musical communities.