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Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Nelson González 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.