It is known that he was born in Pernambuco, but his date of birth is unknown. It is also unknown whether he was born a slave or free, nor who was his wife. He did not have any sons, but had four daughters, two of whom were called Guiomar and Benta.

Joaquim Antônio Candeias Júnior was born in Belém do Pará, on 1 November 1923. He learned to play the guitar by himself and began composing at the age of 12, creating short songs about his daily life. His first samba was entitled Agora é tarde [Now It’s Late].

On 27 September 1910 in Cabo, Pernambuco, Manuel Pereira de Araújo was born, known as Manezinho Araújo. He was the son of Joventina Pereira de Araújo and José Brasilino de Araújo, an employee who worked for forty years at the Great Western Company.