Gato Barbieri

Leandro "Gato" Barbieri (Argentine) was a tenor saxophonist known for fusing Coltrane-influenced jazz with Latin American rhythms; he recorded landmark albums in the 1970s and composed the soundtrack for Last Tango in Paris.

Recorded for labels including Flying Dutchman and Impulse!; pivotal 1970s albums include Latino America, Bolivia and the Chapter series; influence drawn from John Coltrane and South American folk and popular music; composed the soundtrack for Last Tango in Paris.

Reviews emphasize Barbieri's Coltrane-influenced tenor and his synthesis of South American rhythms with avant-garde jazz. The 1970s albums (Latino America, Bolivia/Under Fire, Chapter series) are highlighted as his most representative work. Live intensity, strong rhythm sections and melodic-but-fierce saxophone soloing are recurring points.

For:Listeners who like Latin jazz, Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophone, and adventurous 1970s jazz fusions.