Aníbal Sardinha, nicknamed ‘Garoto’ (‘Boy’ or ‘Lad’), was born in São Paulo, the son of Portuguese immigrants. His first musical experience was with the banjo but later he played the cavaquinho, the acoustic steel string guitar and several other stringed instruments. As with Reis, Garoto established his fame through radio broadcasts in Rio and São Paulo.

In 1939 Garoto was invited to work with Carmen Miranda and the group Bando da Lua, touring the US and also appearing in Broadway revues. In 1954 he won a major competition, producing a recording which sold 700,000 copies but for which he received only a performing fee.