Antonio Adolfo Maurity Sab≤ia was born in the neighborhood of Santa Tereza, Rio de Janeiro, on February 10, 1947. His mother was a violinist with the Orchestra of the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro. His first instrument was the violin, but at 15 he started studying the piano. His professional career started in 1964, when he played in the musical Pobre menina rica, by Carlos Lyra and Vinφcius de Moraes. He was part of the original group of bossa nova musicians in Rio, and for many years the accompanist for Leni Andrade, Geraldo VandrΘ, Elis Regina and others. In these early years, several of his songs won national and international prizes.

In the early 70's, Adolfo retired from the profession to study harmony, piano (with Nadia Boulanger in Paris), and orchestration. In 1974, he went back to Brazil and his work as a professional musician and arranger, working with Chico Buarque, Gal Costa, Maria BethΓnia. He also started teaching music, and formed his own recording label. In the 80's, he taught music, recorded with many famous artists, and produced several records.

In 1986, he founded his music school, Centro Musical Ant⌠nio Adolfo, located at Rua Almirante Pereira Guimarπes, 72 C-02, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, (021) 239-2975. This is where Daniel Jobim (Tom Jobim's grandson) went to school, along with about 600 other students.

Adolfo's latest CD Chiquinha com Jazz, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of that extraordinary woman composer, won the Brazilian PrΩmio Sharp for Best Arranger.

Antonio Adolfo is also the proud father of Carol Saboya who's on her way to becoming one of Brazil's best singers (her first CD, produced by Almir Chediak, is selling like hot cakes, I hear).

Besides a group of top-notch musicians, this CD features a special singer...his daughter, Carol Saboya! Way to go, Carolina!