He gained international fame thanks to his work with the Joe Cuba Sextet in the 1960s and '70s, and later became the lead singer of various groups including Charlie Palmieri's Combo Gigante.
Like most teenagers in the neighborhood, he played stickball, flew kites, and harmonized the tunes of the popular R&B groups and vocalists of the day such as Nat King Cole.
It was during a 1951 stickball game between the Devils and the 112th Street Viceroys that Sabater's life would make a historic turn.
When Panama's conguero, or conga drummer, left the group, Sabater recommended his friend Gilberto for the job.
The now unemployed musicians, which included vocalist Willie Torres and pianist Nick Jiménez, formed a group which included bassist Roy Rosa, vibraphonist Tommy Berríos, Sabater, and conguero Gilberto Calderón (who had been selected by the musicians to direct the band).
One evening, the group appeared at La Bamba Club in midtown Manhattan under the name of "The Joe Panama Sextet".
This occurred when José Curbelo's vocalist Santitos Colón replaced Gilberto Monroig in Tito Puente's band.
Nick Jimenez composed the melody, but Cuba's decision to have Sabater sing the lyrics thrust him into almost immediate international recognition.
By showcasing the smooth vocal style of Sabater, the group had achieved tremendous fame, both in the United States and around the world.
Actually, in 2002 Sabater recorded two versions of the classics "Mama Guela" – one with his band Son Boricua, and one as a guest singer with Spanish Harlem Orchestra.