Founder of two of the most important bossa nova trios of the '60s, the Jongo Trio and the Som Três, Sabá started as a professional at 16, at the Rádio Clube do Pará, with the vocal group Os Gaviões do Samba (which also contained his brother, the bassist Luís Chaves, known later especially for his work with the Zimbo Trio). Sabá continued to perform with that group until he moved to São Paulo, in 1952. In São Paulo, he got his first job in the group of accordionist Bruno Zwarg (Itiberê Zwarg's father). In late 1953, Sabá became a sideman for Johnny Alf at the Baiúca club. Durin...