Better known for being a radio host, Almirante got his nickname (Admiral) for having been in the Army between 1926 and 1927. He started out in music as a singer and tambourine player with the group Flor do Tempo, which switched names do Bando dos Tangarás when Noel Rosa joined in. The group’s first album was released in 1929, featuring Almirante’s samba "Na Pavuna", and was also the first to bring percussion into a recording studio. A year after the success enjoyed in the carnival of 1930, Bando split up.