Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

BARBIERI, Gato

(b Leandro J. Barbieri, 28 November 1934 Rosario, Argentina; d 2 April 2016, NYC) Tenor sax, composer; also clarinet and alto sax; he played in Lalo Schifrin's band '53, switched to tenor '53. Went to Brazil, to Rome '62, Paris '65, met Don Cherry there, made LPs with him in NYC, e.g. Complete Communion '66 on Blue Note with Ed Blackwell, Henry Grimes on bass. Also recorded with Steve Lacy, Dollar Brand; then began mixing South American rhythms with free jazz, e.g. LP Third World '69 with Charlie Haden, Roswell Rudd; won Grammy for film soundtrack Last Tango In Paris '72 (also appeared in the film); formed a group of South American musicians '73 (selections reissued as Latino America '97), several LPs on Impulse in mid-'70s followed a popular groove of hip predictability. Tropic Appetites '73-4 with Carla Bley demonstrated the value for him of collaboration with others. Qué Pasa '97 on Sony Jazz was a blend of Latin, jazz and fusion. He made about 40 albums altogether.