Argentinean saxophonist Gato Barbieri, known as "the cat," started out playing alto sax with countryman Lalo Schifrin before switching to tenor. In the 1960s, influenced by John Coltrane, he ventured into more avant-garde realms, playing with Don Cherry and others. By the mid-'70s, Barbieri had turned toward a smoother, more pop-oriented sound, to huge success (for a jazz artist). No matter what the style, though, he always retained the distinctive South American influence that was his trademark.