A strong, piercing and unique instrumental sound standing out, in the seventies, as the symbolical cry of a socially and politically torn Latin America; the composition of the music for an epochal film such as Last tango In Paris; the collaborations with composers Morricone, Bacalov and Umiliani; recordings and tours next to the great Carlos Santana, Pino Daniele and Antonello Venditti: these and many more are the elements that form and keep alive through the years the legend of Gato Barbieri the great Argentinian saxophone player that lived in Italy between 1962 and 1965. As the result of more than five years of research between Rome, Buenos Aires, New York and Paris the book precisely pieces together the story of Gato Barbieri shedding light on who Gato really was, why he decided to move to Italy, then Paris and eventually New York, and up to which point, he influenced the development of Italian jazz, what traces he left in pop music and what kind of contribution he gave to the works of some of the most innovative Italian film directors such as: Bernardo Bertolucci, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Marco Ferreri. Enriched by the voices from Gato’s closest collaborators — Italian jazz greats like Enrico Rava, Franco D’Andrea, and Giovanni Tommaso — and contributions from iconic Argentinian musicians Jorge López Ruiz, Néstor Astarita, and Carlos Franzetti, it also includes perspectives from prominent musicologists, journalists, and cultural figures, including a foreword by Vincenzo Caporaletti and reflections by Gato’s Italian manager, Toni Lama.

In addition to in-depth musical analysis of Barbieri’s significant recordings in Argentina, Italy and the USA, the book features fifteen previously unpublished tenor saxophone solos and offers readers an unprecedented look at the secrets behind his iconic sound. From his self-taught saxophone repair skills to the details of his unique setup — his choice of saxophones, mouthpieces, and reeds — and explores how these elements, combined with his distinctive playing style, created the vibrant, emotion-filled timbre that captivated listeners and defined his legacy. Launched at the prestigious Umbria Jazz Festival in July 2023, the Italian-language book has been celebrated at major venues across Italy and beyond, often pairing the presentation with a live tribute concert performed by the “Gato Reloaded Jazz Quartet” led by author Andrea Polinelli himself.

Andrea Polinelli is an Italian-born saxophonist, composer, and researcher whose career spans decades of jazz performance, composition for theatre and film, and academic contributions. A graduate of Rome Conservatory, he has taught jazz history at leading Italian conservatories and held masterclasses in Europe and the U.S., including at City College of New York. Polinelli’s deep engagement with jazz’s European and global influences informs his collaborations with renowned artists such as Richard Galliano and Enrico Pieranunzi. As a filmmaker, he directed Un Passo Avanti (A Step Ahead), a documentary on choreographer Roberta Escamilla Garrison, and he is currently scoring a film on Bologna’s jazz history. His biography of Gato Barbieri reflects the culmination of his profound dedication to documenting jazz's rich cultural narratives.

Franco D’Andrea, pianist:
“A vast and meticulous work that truly captures the essence of Gato Barbieri.”

Enzo Capua, journalist and Umbria Jazz reference in New York:
“A beautiful book — an absolute must-buy.”

Claudio Fasoli, saxophonist:
“An impressive, cyclopean work that fills a void in the history of jazz.”

Guido Festinese, journalist:
“Over 400 pages that flow as effortlessly as one of Gato’s solos.”

Franco Bergoglio, Director of Turin Jazz Festival Talks:
“A monumental publishing achievement, ultimately a profound act of love.”

Hard cover, inches 8.25 x 11 inches, in mm 209,55 x 279,40
pp. 494, illustrated
Price: 45 dollars
On sale on the main online platforms and on the publisher's website