BIO

Alex "Gonzo" is a professional percussionist born in the border city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, and based in San Diego, California. Throughout his career, he has performed across a wide range of musical genres, including reggae, Latin, urban, norteño, and Regional Mexican music, earning a reputation for his versatility, dynamic performances, and rhythmic precision.

EXPERIENCE

INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES

Alex "Gonzo" is currently a member of Smoke and Mirrors Soundsystem, SM Familia, Bulevar Descarga, Kush, and Jonathan Sánchez.

He has performed throughout Mexico, the United States, Hawaii, the European Union, and most recently in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Africa.

Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with internationally acclaimed artists such as The Wailers, Steel Pulse, Groundation, Third World, Residente (Calle 13), Vanilla Ice, Kool & the Gang, Smash Mouth, Ozomatli, Maldita Vecindad, Los Ángeles Azules, Sonora Dinamita, Oscar D'León, and Cumbia Kings, among many others.

In addition to his live performances, he has collaborated with artists such as Paul Dones and Jarabe de Palo, as well as legendary Jamaican and international reggae icons including Pato Banton, Eek-A-Mouse, Mykal Rose, Don Carlos, Sister Nancy, Ranking Joe, Al Campbell, Martin Campbell, Little John, I Kong, Triston Palma, Michael Palmer, Frankie Paul, Leroy Smart, Maxi Vargas (former Gondwana), Blanquito Man (King Changó), Nano Bravo, I Nesta, Balaguero, Henry "La Muza", and Roe Delgado, among many others.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

2007 – San Diego, California

In 2007, Alex relocated to San Diego, California, where he became immersed in the city's vibrant reggae scene, marking a new chapter in his musical career.

Two years later, he began an extensive collaboration with Spanish reggae artist Nano Bravo, touring throughout Mexico and the United States alongside the band Mad Lions.

2012 – Alianza Reggae Latina

In 2012, Alex joined Alianza Reggae Latina, a collaborative project that brought together artists from Latin America and Spain to perform at some of Mexico's premier reggae festivals.

2014 – Bulevar Descarga

In 2014, Alex co-founded Bulevar Descarga, a collective of border-region musicians blending urban, Latin, and contemporary influences with original compositions.

With the group, he has toured throughout Mexico and the United States, performing at major events and festivals including:

Latin Billboard
KAABOO Festival
Baja Jazz Fest

He has also shared the stage with renowned artists such as:

Grupo Cañaveral
Cumbia Kings
Sonora Dinamita
Los Ángeles Azules
Ozomatli

International Collaboration with Kush

Since 2015, Alex has collaborated with Ivorian artist Kush, contributing to the recording of the album Tour de Force.

More recently, he performed in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), including a sold-out concert in Abidjan, and recorded a new single at AZK Live Studios alongside Majestic Root Band.

2016 – SM Familia

In 2016, Alex joined SM Familia, one of California's leading Latin reggae bands, known for blending reggae, cumbia, and Caribbean rhythms.

With the band, he has shared the stage with artists including:

Residente
Groundation
Israel Vibration
The Wailers
Steel Pulse
Kool & the Gang
Kinky
Tribal Seeds

SM Familia has been nominated twice for the San Diego Music Awards.

Regional Mexican Music

In 2018, Alex began collaborating with Regional Mexican singer Jonatan Sánchez, touring across Mexico and the United States and performing at prestigious venues such as:

Teatro Telmex (Guadalajara)
Teatro Condesa (Mexico City)

During this period, he also shared the stage with:

Jarabe de Palo
Mario Moreno (Tucanes de Tijuana)

Smoke and Mirrors Soundsystem

During the pandemic in 2020, Alex was invited to join Smoke and Mirrors Soundsystem, a collective dedicated to ska, reggae, and two-tone music, with releases on vinyl.

The group continues to tour internationally, including performances in France.

In 2026, the band received the Best World Beat Song award at the San Diego Music Awards.

Bob Marley Tribute

In 2024, Alex was invited to perform in Valencia, Spain, as part of a tribute to Bob Marley, alongside the acclaimed band Golden Lions.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Alex is currently an active member of the following projects:

Smoke and Mirrors Soundsystem
Jonatan Sánchez
Bulevar Descarga
Kush Reggae Music
SM Familia
Equal Rights Band

International Collaborations

Throughout his career, Alex has collaborated with internationally acclaimed reggae artists, including:

Pato Banton
Eek-A-Mouse
Mykal Rose
Don Carlos
Sister Nancy
Ranking Joe
Al Campbell
Little John
I Kong
Triston Palma
Michael Palmer
Frankie Paul
Leroy Smart
Maxi Vargas (former Gondwana)
Nano Bravo
I Nesta
Balaguero
Henry "La Muza"
Roe Delgado

...and many more.

Endorsements

Alex "Gonzo" González is proudly endorsed by:

Haram
TRX Cymbals

His career continues to expand the reach of border-region music on international stages, establishing him as one of the most active and respected percussionists in the region.

Contactame

MUSICA & PERSCUSIÓN

BIO