Djalma Sabiá

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Djalma de Oliveira Costa

Genres

samba, samba-enredo

Biography

Djalma Sabiá, artistic name of Djalma de Oliveira Costa, was an important Brazilian composer and one of the central figures in the history of samba and Rio de Janeiro carnival. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1925, he began his journey parading in childhood with the old Azul e Branco do Salgueiro school, consolidating an eternal connection with Morro do Salgueiro.

In 1953, he was among the founders of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, born from the union of local associations, and jealously kept the historical minutes of this foundation. Throughout the 1950s to the 1970s, he stood out as a composer in the school's musical wing, authoring memorable works such as "Navio Negreiro" (1957) — which marked the history of carnival by addressing the suffering of black slavery for the first time —, in addition to partnerships with names like Duduca do Salgueiro and Geraldo Babão.

In addition to his artistic production, he performed fundamental administrative functions at Salgueiro, acting as vice-president, carnival director, and, starting in 2018, as honorary president of the institution. Being the last living founder of the school, he passed away in November 2020 at the age of 95, leaving an immortal legacy that was later honored by Salgueiro with the adoption of a thrush as its official mascot.