Born in Havana, Nelson began playing piano at the age of 4, then studied violin at the Guanabacoa Conservatory. At 10, he joined the Los Aragoncitos orchestra, with which he toured Cuba for four years, gaining solid stage experience from a very young age.

 

A composer since childhood, Nelson has seen several of his works incorporated into the repertoire of renowned Cuban groups. A violinist from the age of 17 with the Melodías del 40 orchestra, he quickly became its musical director, then founded his own orchestra, La Mecánica del Sabor, at 20. A pianist and musical director of Oderquis Revé's changüí orchestra, he launched his international career in 2000 with his first European tour alongside Carlos Maza's jazz quartet.

Charmed by France, he decided to settle there in 2001.

In Paris, he created a new group, the Cuban salsa septet La Compañía, then founded Solside (Latin fusion) and Reparto Changüí (salsa, changüí). He toured throughout Europe for over ten years.

He collaborates on stage and in the studio with many international artists such as Viktor Lazlo, Raúl Paz, Orishas, Tres Coronas, Touré Kunda and Las Maravillas de Mali.

 

Today, Nelson Palacios has been performing for 15 years with his Cuban band La Cosa Loca, for which he is the composer and musical director. He has just released his first album, " Fresco y Caliente ," available on all platforms.
The group's repertoire draws from the source of traditional Cuban music while blending it with contemporary influences: changüí, salsa, guaguancó and son cubano.

To create La Cosa Loca, Nelson surrounded himself with talented musicians, mostly from Cuba.

His music, bursting with energy, captivates audiences at every concert, and he has already forged a strong and recognizable artistic identity.